Was visiting scholar between Nov. 2021 to December 2022, start as a Post-Doc of UNC in 2023
Wenqiao He, PhD
Wenqiao He, PhD, is a postdoctoral research associate at the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, working closely with mentors Jonathan Parr, MD, MPH, Jon Juliano, MD, MSPH, and Jessica Lin, MD, MSCR, in the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Ecology Laboratory (IDEEL).
“I have a longstanding interest in the molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases. My research mainly focuses on elucidating the molecular characteristics of malaria parasites. Recently, I have expanded my research to include mosquito-borne viral infections in the DRC, including dengue and other arboviral infections.
“My PhD work primarily focused on viruses in Aedes mosquitoes. Using next-generation sequencing and PCR assays, I investigated viruses in Aedes mosquitoes trapped in different areas in Guangzhou. Due to the strong interest in mosquito-borne diseases, in the last year of my PhD study, I accepted an opportunity to join Dr. Parr’s group within the IDEEL lab at UNC as a visiting PhD student through a graduate student exchange program run by UNC and Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China. In 2023, I accepted a position in Dr. Parr’s group as a postdoctoral research associate.
“I have been working in the IDEEL lab for two years. It is incredibly fun to work with a group of brilliant and passionate individuals dedicated to research. IDEEL provides a unique community where I have not only contributed to various projects but have also grown professionally. Under the guidance of my mentor Dr. Jonathan Parr and co-mentor Drs. Jonathan Juliano and Jessica Lin, I learned next-generation sequencing techniques. I developed and tested several new methodologies for detection and enrichment of non-falciparumPlasmodium DNA. I designed a new duplex PCR assay for detection and differentiation of Plasmodium ovalespp. using published and custom bioinformatic pipelines (first-author manuscript Under Review). I also developed a new selective whole-genome amplification (sWGA) approach for P. ovale and tested it using multiple different laboratory conditions. More recently, I have developed and implemented viral metagenomic sequencing approaches for field-captured Aedes mosquitoes from our study sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“IDEEL fosters a collaborative environment through weekly lab meetings, journal clubs, and other lab activities. I have also had the opportunity to enhance my expertise by attending courses and meetings related to my research, such as the Multivariate Analysis For Genetic Data course at the 28th Summer Institutes that held by the department of biostatistics at the University of Washington, as well as the 2022 and 2023 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene annual meeting.
“Beyond research, daily life in IDEEL is characterized by a vibrant atmosphere. Our team engages in various get-togethers, such as tea time and coffee breaks, fostering a collaborative and enjoyable working environment. My experiences with UNC and IDEEL have been marked by continuous learning and collaborative excellence. This experience will play a pivotal role in my future research journey in tropical medicine and global health.”
Xiaoyi Li, MD/PhD
Xiaoyi Li, PhD, says being a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) was a tremendous honor, sharing her experiences in academics, daily life, and her personal development.
“During my time at UNC, I observed significant differences in the work environment between China and the United States. One noteworthy aspect was the equality and camaraderie among colleagues. I found myself in a supportive atmosphere where my supervisor consistently praised and assisted me in turning mistakes into valuable learning opportunities. The academic setting at UNC provided a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies, leading to a substantial improvement in my spoken English within just one month, thanks to the immersive language environment and encouragement from my peers and mentors.
“In addition to academic endeavors, I had the privilege of attending conferences in cities like Maryland and Boston, broadening my exposure to diverse research landscapes. During holidays, I embarked on exciting journeys to places like Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, and the Smoky Mountains, adding a colorful dimension to my overall experience.
“Ultimately, my time at UNC was more than just academic pursuits. It was a transformative journey that contributed significantly to my intellectual, professional, and personal growth. Experiencing a different work culture, learning new technologies, improving my language skills, and exploring fantastic places alongside meeting wonderful people made my tenure at UNC truly special.”
Hongjie Chen, PhD
Hongjie Chen, PhD, says it has been an incredible opportunity to live and study at the UNC, while working with Sarah Joseph, PhD, and Ron Swanstrom, PhD, and their teams.
“I am a PhD and MD student, specializing in Infectious Diseases in China and where I have been actively involved in studying and engaging with individuals affected by HIV. HIV infection is becoming a trickier problem with growing HIV infection in China, research in the field is still in its early stages. I wish to learn more about it to provide better concerned to HIV infectors. The challenges posed by Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) underscore the need for further investigation into HIV reservoirs, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS) and other organs. Sarah mainly focus on HIV-1 reservoirs, HIV-1 tropism and CNS adaptation. So it is great to learn here.
“Sarah has been instrumental in providing extensive individual guidance, ensuring that I quickly acclimate to the academic environment and offering genuine concern for my well-being in the United States. Olivia and Nathan, fellow members of the lab, have been invaluable mentors, assisting me with various lab tasks and introducing me to the rich cultural tapestry of the USA.
“One highlight of my experience was when Sarah sponsored my attendance at the NIH HIV Cure Conference in Washington D.C., hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This conference exposed me to the groundbreaking initiatives of the NIH in HIV cure research, offering insights into the latest advancements from top universities and research institutions.
“Living in a foreign country with a vastly different culture and customs has been an eye-opening experience. From dressing up as animated characters to celebrate Halloween to boating and fishing in a picturesque reservoir, and even hiking and camping in Yellowstone National Park, these unique experiences have enriched my life.
“I have relished the opportunity to savor delicious local cuisine, engage with kind and friendly individuals, and immerse myself in the fascinating American culture. Finally, I want to express my profound gratitude to my Chinese mentor, Jie Peng, for providing me with this incredible chance for personal and academic growth. This journey has not only expanded my academic horizons but has also allowed me to embrace the diverse and vibrant aspects of life in the United States.”
Huanjuan Su, PhD Candidate
Huanjuan Su is a PhD student in China, visiting the UNC Kidney Center.
“I’ve been here for more than four months and during this time, both my work and personal life experiences have helped me become a more open-minded and confident person.
“The Kidney Center is a huge family, we have different research projects including basic research and clinical research. My research focuses on the characterization of venous and arterial smooth muscle cells phenotype under uremic conditions: major contributors for arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) dysfunction. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition all over the world. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are dependent on reliable vascular access for life-preserving hemodialysis. Unfortunately, vascular access dysfunction is a primary reason for morbidity in patients requiring hemodialysis. In response to vascular injury, VSMCs exhibit a phenotypic change exemplified by loss of contractility and abnormal proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix secretion. Therefore, we hypothesize that the uremic conditions associated in CKD and ESRD promote a pathophysiological VSMC phenotype that contributes to vascular access dysfunction in hemodialysis patients. It’s a meaningful but challenging project for me. Hoping under the help of the kidney center family I can find some new insight for it.
“I’ve also met a lot of interesting and creative people from different backgrounds. We’ve have shared cultures and food and different ideas about controversial topics together, which had a very important impact on my life. We usually hang out to hike, camp and picnic on weekend. I learned how to live a work-life balanced life. In the following time, I want to meet more interesting people and learn about different cultures.”