Jenny (Yunjia) Qu, Ph.D.
Jenny Qu, Ph.D., is a bioengineer and researcher driven by a passion for advancing precision medicine through molecular and cellular engineering. Jenny’s work bridges synthetic biology and immunotherapy. Her research explores a wide range of innovative areas, including ultrasound-inducible gene circuits, CAR-T cell engineering, 3D bioprinting of tumor models, and the mechanogenetic control of immune responses. She has led and collaborated on projects utilizing CRISPR screening, mechanotransduction analysis, and synthetic biology circuit design across bacterial, mammalian, and mouse systems. Before UC San Diego, Jenny conducted research at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, where she investigated the biomechanical behavior of cancer and bone cells under compression, shedding light on how cellular mechanics influence cancer invasion and osteoblast signaling. Guided by a systems-level approach, she is committed to developing new biotechnological tools that integrate engineering principles with biological understanding to drive innovation in cancer treatment and immunotherapy. Jenny is always eager to collaborate with fellow scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of synthetic biology and immunoengineering.
• UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering- Ph.D.
• University of Michigan- M.S.
• University of Michigan- B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my hard work and passion for advancing science and making a meaningful impact through my research.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Find what you are passionate about and work hard
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to take the time to discover what you truly love to do and let that passion guide your path forward.