B.S. University of California
Junyao Zang is a graduate student at Columbia University. Originally from China, Junyao later lived in California and now splits time between New York and Los Angeles. Before graduate school, Junyao studied wine science as an undergraduate—a field that not only sharpened scientific curiosity but also taught a great appreciation for how biology connects to culture (and to a good glass of wine).
In the lab, Junyao studies epigenetics, with a focus on heterochromatin formation and inheritance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Junyao is fascinated by how chromatin-based mechanisms regulate gene expression and by the possibility that these insights could one day inspire new advances in biotechnology and medicine.
Outside of research, Junyao keeps busy with plenty of hobbies. Having played guitar for over a decade across classical, acoustic, and electric styles, Junyao now performs in a band in New York City. When not making music, you might find Junyao practicing archery, planning the next trip, or hunting down the best food in town.