I’m Ziyuan Zhao, a second-year graduate student in the Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology (SSQB) Ph.D. program at Harvard. Currently in Sorger lab at the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, I aspire to bridge the gap between traditional and modern histopathology by quantifying tissue architectures and modeling their mesoscale dynamics. I believe that quantitative theories can build upon and refine existing conceptual models of pathogenesis, paving the way for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.
I grew up in Beijing, China, and my interest in biology was ignited a long time ago in middle school. I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend Harvard, where I studied Chemistry and Physics & Computer Science to vastly expand my intellectual horizon before returning to biology. Please see the Research page for a selection of my past projects.
I find the interdisciplinary nature of my research incredibly exciting. On one hand, it’s driven by the vast amounts of data generated in the lab, which requires me to leverage tools from computer vision, machine learning, and statistics to extract meaningful insights. On the other hand, I must interpret these results in the context of current knowledge in molecular biology, histology, and pathology. Our lab’s focus on major diseases, combined with routine collaboration with clinician scientists, provides a dynamic backdrop for this work.
When I’m not working, I cook, read, visit parks and gardens, and explore Boston with my friends. I also casually enjoy endurance sports and am proud to have finished my first half marathon and a bike tour to Princeton during the summer.
If I’m not in graduate school and don’t have to worry about earning my bread, I’d have become a visual artist. I think artists and scientists have so much in common: we think creatively to develop original ideas, we experiment iteratively and push the frontiers of knowledge about ourselves and the world, and, most importantly, in many ways, we all strive to seek truth and beauty.
The “Personal Projects” page showcases my varied artistic expressions. I am always eager to collaborate with fellow scientists and artists so please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have interesting ideas.
As a scientist, I am acutely aware of the injustices that persist within our workplaces and the academic system. These disparities can hinder progress and create barriers for many individuals of disadvantaged backgrounds. I believe it is essential to confront these issues and work toward fostering an equitable environment where all voices are heard and valued, enabling us to advance knowledge and innovation more effectively.
I serve on the Student Accessibility Advisory Group (SAAG). I am a member of my graduate student worker union (UAW-HGSU) and also a union steward for the Division of Medical Sciences (DMS). Feel free to reach out to discuss graduate student issues or the upcoming contract bargaining process with the university at ziyuanzhao-at-fas-dot-harvard-dot-edu.