CRS Scientist Spotlight on Guangyuan Zhao

Guangyuan Zhao is a PhD student in Dr. Daniela Matei's lab. His research focuses on the role of stearoyl CoA desaturase and how the balance between saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids tightly controlled by SCD, regulates OC cell survival and tumorigenicity. 

Thesis mentor: Dr. Daniela Matei, MD

Thesis title:  The Balance between Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids Regulates Ovarian Cancer Cell Fate

What brought you to join the CRS community and what is your current position? 

I'm currently a 6th year PhD student. I was brought to CRS by Dr. Matei’s research in ovarian cancer and multiple projects as well as research articles published by her group. I also talked to several DGP students about their experience at the Ob & Gyn department. I think the overall environment is what I would like to be surrounded.

Could you describe your research? 

My research focuses on the role of stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD), a rate-limiting enzyme that converts saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids, in ovarian tumor growth and progression. I want to understand how the balance between saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids tightly controlled by SCD, regulates OC cell survival and tumorigenicity. 

What aspect(s) of CRS do you find most valuable? 

Reproductive Research Updates for the CRS community to come together and discuss individual research. 

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a reproductive scientist? 

Attend Reproductive Research Updates and get to know the research in other labs focusing on different aspects of reproductive science. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to young scientists starting in their journey in science? 

Attend different research talks with a variety of topics to broaden their horizon. Connecting dots and getting inspirations for our own projects from other researchers are truly exciting. 

What do you think will be the next big contribution in the reproductive biology field? 

Targeted therapy for high grade serous ovarian cancer 

What hobbies do you have outside of the lab? 

Volleyball.