TEAM 2025

Yun-Ting is a scientist in Platform Technologies at Tenvie Therapeutics, which develops small molecule therapies to advance CNS disease treatment. She focuses on building protein tools and developing pharmacology assays to support early-stage portfolio development, enabling target validation, hit identification, and mechanistic studies. Her work bridges discovery and translational research, contributing to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Before transitioning to Tenvie Therapeutics she worked at Denali Therapeutics and Element Biosciences, specializing in protein purification and characterization. She played a role in optimizing production workflows and improving purification methodologies. Her expertise spans biochemical assay development, biophysical characterization, and process optimization.

Funien is a molecular biologist with expertise in genomics technology development. She received her Ph.D. studying transcriptomic profiling of immune cell populations, where she extensively optimized RNA-seq protocols. Funien completed her postdoctoral training in Paul Blainey's lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where she developed novel genomics tools. Following her academic career, she joined 10x Genomics to transform innovative technologies into widely accessible products. At 10x, she led a team advancing single-cell technology platforms. Currently, she is focused on applying these technologies to deepen our understanding of biology and advance patient care.

Jessie is a Scientist at ALX Oncology, a clinical-stage biotechnology company delivering the next generation of breakthrough oncology therapies. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toronto, where she investigated the mechanism of action of a small molecule modulator in mitigating the metabolic side effects (obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance) of glucocorticoids. During her postdoctoral training at Merck & Co., she conducted projects on exploring the role of a novel inflammatory target in vascular senescence and assessing the therapeutic index of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). With extensive research experience in cell biology and drug discovery, Jessie is always seeking to apply technical and analytical, organizational and problem solving skills to make a positive impact in advancing novel drug candidates from discovery into the clinic.

Jason is currently a Clinical Operations Leader at PAREXEL. .

Elsa is currently a Life Science Research Professional at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Shihpo is a biochemist currently working as a Postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford University School of Medicine, where his research focuses on the synthesis of protein-activated fluorescent probes for tumor imaging. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 2024. During his doctoral studies, he developed a 3D SWIR (short-wave infrared) fluorescence stereo imaging system specifically designed for small animals. This advanced imaging technology allows researchers to capture detailed, three-dimensional views of biological processes in vivo, offering deeper tissue penetration and lower background noise compared to conventional imaging methods.

Jack is a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Davis in the major of biomedical engineering. Before joining the program, he got a master's degree and worked as a data analyst at the University of California, San Francisco. He has multiple years of research experience in medical imaging, specifically interested in leveraging machine learning in image processing and analysis. In his leisure time, he likes to go hiking, skiing, and cycling. He joined BATBA as an organizer in 2023, and is excited to organize informative and fun events for the community.

Yu-An has over 15 years of experience in basic, pre-clinical, and clinical research. Currently, Yu-An serves as a QC Lead at Orca Bio, where the primary responsibility is to ensure that the company's cell products meet safety regulations and achieve specific cell purity standards. Additionally, Yu-An has a strong interest in cell therapy and process development. Outside of work, Yu-An enjoys hiking and watching basketball. Yu-An is excited to join BATBA's Marketing team to help connect Taiwanese professionals in the biotech industry in the Bay Area.

Christine is a Ph.D. candidate in Comparative Biochemistry at UC Berkeley, working in Dr. Wally Wang’s lab within the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology. Her research focuses on the transcriptional coregulators regulating glucocorticoid signaling and their physiological impact on glucose metabolism, aiming to improve glucocorticoid therapy and develop novel therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases. In addition to her current research, Christine is also experienced in cancer research, stemming from her undergraduate studies and clinical research experience at E-Da Hospital in Taiwan. Outside the lab, she enjoys crocheting and exploring boba spots in Berkeley.

Denise is a Stanford-trained pharmacological biologist with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently serving as a principal investigator at Taipei Medical University, she plays a key role in advancing preclinical and clinical studies remotely from the Bay Area. As a former Senior Medical Science Liaison at Johnson & Johnson, she contributed over three years of expertise in clinical trial support, advocacy-driven marketing programs, and product launches. Her work spans multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and ophthalmology. With a strong foundation in translational medicine research and strategic program development, Denise is passionate about driving biomedical innovation. She is actively exploring opportunities in preclinical and clinical program management, as well as venture capital investment, where she can leverage her scientific expertise to foster business growth and support due diligence in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

Cedric is a Taiwanese-Australian neurobiologist currently working as a Research Scientist at the Stanford University School of Medicine where his research focuses on chronic peripheral nerve injury characterization and repair. He received his Ph.D. from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia researching the role of matrix proteins in human neurogenesis. Cedric moved to the US to complete his postdoctoral training at the University of California San Francisco where he studied the role of autonomic nerves in epithelial organ regeneration.