Vivian Qian

In the lab, Vivian conducts hypothesis-driven research and envisions a systematic investigation into the T cell regulation mechanism. Her interdisciplinary approach spans next-generation fluorescent biosensors, CAR-T immuno-engineering, 3D tissue culture, and eventually, machine learning applications.

Vivian’s original scientific pursuits stemmed from chemigenetic labeling of voltage-sensitive probes and neurodegenerative disorders. She joined Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology for a PhD degree in neuroscience in 2021 but left the program as she sought to find her own niche. She rerouted her path by joining Fudan University Institute of Translational Brain Research in Shanghai, China and she started engineering bioluminescent indicators. After she established a high-throughput bacteria based screening platform she entered the Master Program of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at USC in Dr. Peter Yingxiao Wang's group. There she began to perform multiplex live cell imaging investigating the initiation and maintenance of CAR-T cancer synapse together with Dr. Liu. 

Vivian welcomes dedicated undergrad or Master’s students to contact her and discuss potential mentorship opportunities. 

“So we beat on, boats against the current”.