Student Profile: Yizhen Jin

Welcome to our Student Profile series, a project designed to highlight the diverse and fascinating individuals driving innovation within the University of Chicago Department of Chemistry. This initiative aims to go beyond the lab coat, showcasing the unique stories, passions, and perspectives of our students. We've asked them to share not just their research, but also the experiences and insights that have shaped their academic journey.

Today we're pleased to introduce Yizhen Jin, a fourth-year graduate student in the Hening Lin Research Group who embodies the interdisciplinary spirit of our students through his work at the intersection of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.

Who are you, where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

My name is Yizhen Jin. I was born in Hangzhou, China. It is a beautiful and peaceful city located in the southern part of China. The weather is really different compared to Chicago.

If you could have a conversation with any scientist, living or dead, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’ve honestly never thought about this kind of question before. But as a Chinese student, I feel really proud of the incredible work done by Youyou Tu and her colleagues. If I had the chance to speak with her, I’d love to ask: “What was it like when you realized your work could help end one of the deadliest diseases on Earth?”

What's a concept or idea that you find endlessly fascinating, even if it's outside the realm of chemistry?

I am always curious about our memory. What is the molecular mechanism of our memory? How do our neuron cells store the memory? How does memory loss happen? If all these questions can be solved in the future, I would like to print my most important memories out so that I will never forget them.

What's the coolest tool, gadget or technique you get to utilize or play with in your research? Are there any tools or methods you’ve learned that felt like unlocking a superpower?

It must be AI. I am using ChatGPT to help generate code or revise my code for bioinformatic analysis almost every day.

What's the best 'lab snack' that gets you through a long experiment? What's a recreation or 'guilty pleasure' that helps you unwind after a long day in the lab?

I will choose free food in different seminars! I usually watch suspenseful TV shows, movies, or anime. I also like to relax by playing video games or just chill with my cats ‘Pineapple’ and ‘Peanut’.

What's the most collaborative or teamwork-based experience you've had in the lab?

Doing mice experiments is the most collaborative experience I have had in the lab. Handling mice experiments can be time consuming and typically requires multiple people to work together. You can learn a lot through this experience.

What's the potential impact of your research that you find most compelling?

I am working on target discovery and drug development for multiple diseases, mostly cancer. What I find most compelling about my research is its potential to contribute to a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms, which is a critical step toward developing better therapeutics. Knowing that the work I’m doing now could one day help improve treatment, is what keeps me motivated and passionate about this field.

What's a perspective shift or mindset change you've experienced that's broadened your approach to problem-solving?

I was trained in medicinal chemistry during my undergraduate studies, and now I’m being trained as a chemical biologist. My background in chemistry helps me think deeply about molecular mechanisms, while my current training pushes me to engage with more complex biological processes. One mindset shift I’ve had is realizing that even the most intricate biological systems can often be broken down into simple, elegant mechanisms.

If you could fast-forward 10 years, what's one thing you'd hope you've accomplished?

I wish I could either stay in the academic, or get a job related to drug discovery, contributing to better therapeutics against human diseases.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is nervous about starting research?

Everything is difficult at the beginning, especially in research, where you're often exploring the unknown and outcomes can be unpredictable. Learn from your mentor and peers. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, observe how others approach problems, and be open to feedback.

What's a piece of advice you'd give for building strong and supportive relationships with peers and mentors in the department?

I recently learned a lesson from my advisor Hening Lin about how to build a long-term collaboration, especially with colleagues from different fields. The key is clear and consistent communication. Being open about expectations, listening actively, understanding each other’s perspectives can really strengthen relationships. It’s also important to show appreciation for each other's contributions and stay respectful, even when challenges arise. This is also true for peer and mentor relationships.

Anything else you’d like to share or shout out?

I’d like to share one of my favorite Cantonese songs, ‘Ai De Tai Chi’ (爱得太迟).

To see Yizhen Jin’s research impact, see their contributions on Google Scholar.