Ph.D. Advisor: Prof. Jonathan Sweedler
Future plans? Continue advancing analytical science in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, where I can apply my expertise in mass spectrometry to solve real-world problems related to human health and product safety. After completing my PhD, I will be joining Baxter as a Research Associate III, where I will focus on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) characterization of extractables and leachables from medical devices and related products. I’m excited to contribute to the development of safe, high-quality healthcare solutions, and to grow as a scientist in a fast-paced, collaborative industrial environment.
Talk about your PhD research. My PhD research focused on developing and applying multiscale matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry techniques for lipidomic analysis across biological systems, spanning intact tissues, single cells, and subcellular organelles. Through instrumentation optimization—particularly leveraging MALDI-2 post-ionization and image-guided acquisition workflows—I enhanced the sensitivity, spatial resolution, and throughput of MALDI-based analyses. These advancements enabled detailed lipidomic profiling of drug-treated human cancer cells following exposure to novel therapeutics, assessment of lipid responses in gene-edited plant cells, and characterization of individual mitochondria to reveal organ-specific lipid heterogeneity.
Potential applications of your research? My research has several promising real-world applications, particularly in cancer biology and agricultural biotechnology. In the cancer-focused portions of my work, I used MALDI-2 mass spectrometry to analyze lipidomic changes in drug-treated breast cancer organoids and adrenocortical carcinoma cells. These studies demonstrated the potential of mass spectrometry to detect molecular responses to therapeutics while providing critical mechanistic insights into how anticancer compounds exert their effects. By identifying lipid pathways altered by treatment, this approach can help uncover cellular vulnerabilities and inform the selection of targets for combination therapy to enhance treatment efficacy.
In the plant studies, I collaborated with a synthetic biology team to develop a high-throughput automation pipeline for genetic engineering and downstream metabolic analysis via mass spectrometry. This approach significantly accelerates the development of genetically engineered crops by enabling rapid, single-cell-level screening of phenotypic outcomes. As a result, it enhances our ability to fine-tune metabolic traits such as oil content, stress resistance, and nutritional value.
Together, these applications illustrate how mass spectrometry-based lipidomics can serve as a powerful platform for advancing both precision medicine and sustainable agriculture.
Activities outside the lab? I participated in the Beckman Institute Open House, an annual outreach event where researchers from across disciplines present their work through interactive and engaging booths. Each year, I helped develop and run hands-on demonstrations that communicated complex scientific ideas to a wide audience—ranging from young children to senior community members. I especially enjoyed interacting with children and sparking their curiosity about science through fun, approachable activities. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to science outreach in a way that made research feel accessible and exciting, and I valued the opportunity to practice communicating science across all age levels while giving back to the local community.
How does it feel to reach this milestone? Both surreal and deeply fulfilling. Earning my PhD represents the culmination of years of hard work, persistence, and personal growth—scientifically and professionally. It’s incredibly rewarding to look back and see how much I’ve grown as a researcher, from struggling through early setbacks to developing sophisticated methodologies and contributing meaningful insights to my field. At the same time, this transition feels like a beginning; I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned into the next chapter of my career and to keep learning, growing, and making an impact.
Major highlight? Getting to know the people in my lab and becoming part of a close-knit, supportive community. Early on, some of my lab mates introduced me to mahjong—a game I had never played before but quickly came to enjoy. What started as casual curiosity turned into a regular tradition, with mahjong nights that included cooking meals together and chatting about everything from research ideas to everyday life.
Who has been impactful in your educational journey? I’ve been fortunate to have had incredible mentors during my Ph.D. who played a key role in shaping my growth as a scientist. Dan Castro was my main mentor within the group and was instrumental in helping me build a strong foundation in mass spectrometry. He taught me not only the technical skills but also how to approach scientific questions, structure projects, and think critically about research as a whole. His guidance helped me develop confidence and independence in the lab. On the data analysis side, Richard Xie was incredibly helpful to bounce ideas off of. As I worked to learn new computational and statistical analyses and integrate them into our workflows, he was always willing to help troubleshoot and offer feedback.
Advice for other graduate students? It's the same advice my mentor gave to me: be prepared and willing to learn. In graduate school, there won’t always be someone holding your hand or telling you exactly what to do. You have to take initiative, be proactive, and constantly push yourself to understand not just how things work, but why they matter. The more ownership you take over your learning and your research, the more rewarding the experience will be. Stay curious, stay engaged, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—that’s where real growth happens.