Jiaying Chen (she/hers)

Jiaying is a sixth-year Ph.D. student in the Genetics department at Yale University. She joined Dr. Haifan Lin's laboratory for her thesis work in 2019, where she studied the roles and mechanisms of the Piwi protein in transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in fly germ cells. Beyond her academic pursuits, Jiaying demonstrates strong leadership and community engagement. She served as the President of the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Yale (ACSSY) for the 2020-2021 term. In this role, she organized various events for the Chinese community, fostering inclusivity and supporting professional development. She also co-founded the Yale Biotech Club, which quickly became the largest life science-focused student group at Yale. She co-led and organized the Life Science Career Fair for over 800 participants and more than 30 companies, providing students with valuable opportunities for career exploration, internships, and jobs. In her leisure time, Jiaying enjoys travel, exploring diverse culinary experiences, and photography.