Jao Lab
The Team
Li-En Jao
Principal investigator
Li-En received his B.S. in Life Science from National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan) before coming to the US for his graduate study under Kuang Yu Chen at Rutgers University, where he studied translation and posttranscriptional gene regulation. Li-En moved to NIH to work with Shawn Burgess on developing genome-wide retroviral mutagenesis strategies in zebrafish. He then went back to the root of gene regulation and did another postdoc with Susan Wente at Vanderbilt University on RNA metabolism and human disease modeling using the zebrafish and cultured cell systems. At the end of his postdoc training in the Wente Lab, he stumbled upon a connection between RNA metabolism and centrosome function, a topic he has been pursing since. In his spare time, Li-En enjoys family time, woodworking, and photography.
Jia-Lin Shiu
Postdoctoral fellow
Jia-Lin received his B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Chung Shan Medical University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Life Sciences from National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan). His research focuses on translational control during mitosis. Apart from his work in the lab, Jia-Lin enjoys playing badminton, handicraft activities, and sketching.
Wenzhu (Owen) Zhang
Ph.D. candidate
Owen graduated from UC Davis in 2021 with a B.S. in Biotechnology emphasizing in Bioinformatics. Upon graduation, he worked as a lab assistant and developed his interest in genetics, cell biology, and bioinformatics. His work in the lab focuses on determining the molecular mechanism underlying the dynein-mediated transport of centrosomal proteins during mitosis. In his free time, he loves music, reading, and trying new things.
Thao Nguyen
Research technician
Thao graduated from the University of Washington with B.S. in Microbiology in 2025. She is investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate intracellular transport and their roles in human disease. Thao plans to pursue graduate studies in biological sciences. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with her cats, playing video games, and trying new foods.
Samantha Melancon
Undergraduate researcher
Samantha is a junior majoring in Applied Mathematics and Biochemistry. She is interested in protein chemistry, computational biology, and structural biology. She is involved in both the assembly and dynein transport projects in the lab. For fun she likes to bake, read, and hang out with her friends.
Daniel Koshchak
Undergraduate researcher
Daniel is a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. He is working his way toward medical school. Daniel has worked extensively with zebrafish for the last year and has developed various lab technical skills and research etiquette. Additionally, he is doing clinical research intersecting AI and orthopedic surgery. Outside of academics and research, Daniel volunteers as an EMT in Syracuse University Ambulance, and enjoys working out as well as getting together with his friends and eating sushi.
Mia Zheng
Undergraduate researcher
Mia is a Biology major with a minor in Nutrition. Her project in the lab focuses on elucidating the mechanism underlying the dynein-mediated transport. Mia plans on pursuing a pharmD post-grad and enjoys spending time with cats and going to the gym in her free time.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Alumni
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Mark Antkowiak (Junior Specialist, 2014–2016): General Surgery Resident at UC San Diego
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Evan Brahms (Undergraduate Researcher, 2015–2016): Manager, Strategic Partnerships
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Hashim Shaikh (Undergraduate Researcher, 2015–2018): Orthopedics Resident at University of Rochester
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Janice Tam (Undergraduate Researcher, 2015–2016): Senior Research Associate II at Kite Pharma
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Daniel Yoon (Undergraduate Researcher, 2015–2016): Graduate Student with Roslyn Isseroff at UC Davis
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Noemi Castro (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016–2018): Graduate Student with Kermit Carraway at UC Davis
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Lana Christensen (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016–2018): Graduate Student with Jeff Coller at Johns Hopkins University
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Karan Mahe (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016–2019): Graduate Student with Viviana Gradinaru at Caltech
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Marvin Orellana (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016): Process Engineer at Fujifilm Biotechnology
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Guadalupe Sepulveda (Junior Specialist, 2016–2017): Staff Scientist at Stanford University
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Alan Zhong (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016)
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Lee Cheung (Volunteer, 2017–2018)
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Tingyoung Ou (Junior Specialist, 2017–2018)
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Tam Ho (Undergraduate Researcher, 2018–2020): Research Associate at Stanford University
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Xueer Jiang (Graduate Student, 2018–2022): Technical Support Scientist at Twist Bioscience
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Jennielee Mia (Undergraduate Researcher, 2016–2021, Junior Specialist, 2019–2021): Registered Nurse
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Deger Carda (Undergraduate Researcher, 2019–2020)
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Rachel Hu (Undergraduate Researcher, 2019–2021)
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Jonathan Hui (Undergraduate Researcher, 2021)
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Jemmielee Mia (Undergraduate Researcher, 2021, 2024)
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Denise Papilota (Undergraduate Researcher, 2022–2023)
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Swati Pothukuchi (Undergraduate Researcher, 2022–2023)
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Pei-Yu (Monica) Chao (Undergraduate Researcher, 2022–2024): Graduate Student at Columbia University
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Justin Dinh (Undergraduate Researcher, 2022–2024): Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at UCSF
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Hannah (Wenrui) Jiang (Undergraduate Researcher, 2022–2024): Graduate Student at Cornell University
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John Abram Flores (Undergraduate Researcher, 2023–2024): Clinical Laboratory Associate II at BillionToOne
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Eashan Sharma (Undergraduate Researcher, 2023–2024)
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Kathryn (KG) Samford (Undergraduate Researcher, 2023–2024)
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Yu Jia Dong (Undergraduate Researcher, 2023–2024)
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Fatma Zehra Tihic (Postdoctoral Fellow, 2025–2026)
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Furqan Hasan (Undergraduate Researcher, 2025–2026)