Lab Members

Dr. Chen is an RNA biologist whose research focuses on the functional significance of circular RNA (circRNA) translation. Drawing upon his expertise in two classes of non-canonical RNAs – long non-coding RNA and circRNA – he utilizes multi-omic and high-throughput screening approaches to uncover the regulatory components and mechanisms governing circRNA translation, unlocking the potential of circRNAs for next-generation RNA technologies and therapeutics.

I’m thrilled to join Dr. Chen’s lab. After completing my Ph.D. program at Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan, which focused on the tumor-suppressive role of miRNA874 in breast cancer, I furthered my research in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at WashU for two years. My journey continues in Dr. Chen’s team, diving into circular RNA research, aiming to advance RNA technologies and therapies. Outside of the lab, you can find me at Topgolf or immersed in PS5 gaming.

My name is Ajin Park, though I go by Jin, and I am currently a Post-Bacc student working in Dr. Chun-Kan Chen’s lab where I work on CircRNA localization. I first got my Bachelor’s in Genetics and Cell Biology at Washington State University, before moving to St. Louis for my Master’s in Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. My hobbies outsides of the lab include kickboxing with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 3D printing, and sleeping in.

I am currently a laboratory technician in the lab of Dr. Chun-Kan Chen at Washington University in Saint louis. I hold a bachelors of science in biology from the University of Missouri Columbia and a Bachelors of arts in Biochemistry/ Biotechnology from the University of Missouri Saint Louis. My Research interests include expanding our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control circRNA function and its  development into a viable RNA-based therapeutic.

I am Yi-Cian Zheng, just feel free to call me Crystal. I graduated from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan with a B.S. degree in Medical Science. I now work in Dr. Chen’s Lab as a lab technician, diving deeper into circRNA and its RBPs. I love to try out new coffee or boba places in my free time.