Research Assistant│Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Apr 2022 ~ Present

Academia Sinica is the most prestigious research institution in Taiwan. My roles include:

• Reprogramming hiPSCs from human fibroblast via mRNA transfection.

• Developing and optimizing rapid dendritic cell differentiation protocol from hiPSC.

• Improved haematopoietic stem cell differentiation efficiency by 22%.

• Designing flow cytometry panel to validate cell phenotype.

• Generating NK feeder cells through lentivirus packaging and transduction. 

• Stem cell culture.

Research Assistant│Chang Gung University, Taiwan

Aug 2020 ~ Mar 2022

Project 1: Investigation of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) X in Taiwanese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. 

• Successfully generated lncRNA X misexpression stable cell lines by lentivirus transduction.

• Conducted cell-based assays and tests to dissect lncRNA X's functional roles and pathological significance in CRC umorigenesis.

• Performed immunoprecipitation to investigate and analyse potential downstream interaction proteins.

Project 2: Examined the involvement of microRNA in exosomes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

• Harvested, quantified the size and number of nanoparticles via NanoSight NS300 and performed cell assays to study EMT. 

• Successfully built an exosome-treated lung adenocarcinoma EMT model.

• Assisted in the subcutaneous injection of modified cancer cell lines and intraperitoneally administrated drugs in nude mice to study the drug resistance of a particular lncRNA.

• Trained and supervised students in molecular biology techniques.

Research Assistant│Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Dec 2019 ~ Aug 2020

• Processed human blood samples of STEMI patients through density gradient centrifugation for PBMC isolation for flow cytometry and molecular experiments.

• Recruited study participants, and established and maintained participant relationships.

• Managed projects, ensuring that each project meets the schedule.

• Ensured studies are conducted in accordance with ICH GCP and the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board.

• Coordinated operations with different departments, including communication with site supervisors.

• Managed information database of more than 400 patients via FileMaker.

Final Year Project│The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, UK                     

Feb ~ Apr 2019

Project title: "An investigation on the expression of caspase-X in DCIS and IDC in well-characterised patient cohorts".

• Identified of breast cancer biomarkers in 261 biopsy samples.

• Developed of an IHC protocol using caspase-X on the BenchMark ULTRA IHC/ ISH system.

• Analysed experimental data via SPSS.

• Executed accurate and timely record keeping and data management for each test undertaken.

Summer Research Intern│Academia Sinica, Taiwan                                      

Jul  ~ Aug 2018

• Shadowed supervisor's research project on Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Generated recombinant DNA for ADAR gene study via molecular cloning.
• Performed batch culture of bacteria, DNA isolation and purification.
• Conducted experiments such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, preparing culture media and Western blotting. 

• Practised strict health and safety procedures in the laboratory, using the correct equipment appropriately and according to the task.