Siyuan (Melanie) Wu

🔬I’m a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular and Cellular Biology program at UMass Amherst, where I study Fusarium oxysporum, a cross-kingdom fungal pathogen capable of causing life-threatening infections in humans. Under the supervision of Dr. Li-Jun Ma, my research integrates comparative genomics, proteomics, and RNA technology to uncover host-pathogen interactions and develop RNAi-based antifungal therapies—an innovative strategy bridging fundamental science and translational medicine. 🚀At UMass, I'm a trainee in the NIH-funded Biotechnology Training Program, which equips scientists with the skills to translate research into real-world biomedical solutions. I’m also a scientific co-founder of VeriMyco, a therapeutics spinoff from the Li-Jun Ma Lab, focused on developing RNAi-based antifungal drugs targeting human-pathogenic fungi. In parallel, I participated in the NSF I-Corps Regional program as part of the founding team of Limbus 2020, a stem cell therapy startup. These experiences have sharpened my understanding of customer discovery, regulatory pathways, and early-stage biotech commercialization. 🌐Outside of the lab, I serve as the Design Lead for the Chinese Antibody Society, where I help organize national scientific conferences and global biotech forums. I’m passionate about fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting innovation in genomics, infectious disease, and therapeutic development. 📌I’m always eager to connect with researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and industry partners who share an interest in RNA therapeutics, fungal pathogenesis, and translational science. Let’s explore opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and make an impact.