Iris Chin Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, California, United States

I am studying how noncoding genetic variation mediates susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. We apply single-cell sequencing technologies including ATAC-seq and RNA-seq to study postmortem patient brain samples, use machine-learning approaches to develop hypotheses about the functions of the noncoding genome, and then test these hypotheses with large-scale functional genomics assays such as MPRA and and targeted CRISPR-mediated genome editing in iPSC-derived brain cell models.

"Carry the One Radio" is UCSF's student-run science podcast . We write and produce episodes to spark curiosity for science in the general public, interviewing scientists at all stages of their careers to hear about their work and life stories.

Using hiPSC-derived models to study molecular biological processes related to neurological disease

As lab manager, I ensure day-to-day operations in the lab run smoothly and safely. I am in charge of ordering supplies, helping everyone in the lab with research tasks, maintaining our Drosophila collections and managing work-study undergraduates. In my role as a research technician, I continue to work on the Williams Syndrome project from my undergraduate years, in addition to participating in a number of other projects including our lab's NeuroNex project. I had the unique experience of being the lab's one "essential" member during the pandemic and the resulting university shut-down. I played an important role in both the process of rapidly ramping-down research activities in March, as well as implementing new policies to allow people to return to work safely in June.

Department Of Biology

I worked on an independent project involving Williams Syndrome genes and animal social behavior. The Ben-Shahar lab uses insect models to study the underlying neurogenetic mechanisms underlying behavior.

I was an undergraduate teaching assistant for Biology 3422 (Genes, Brains and Behavior), an upper-level biology course primarily for senior undergraduates. My duties included leading a weekly discussion section for a group of 10 students, holding an office hour, helping to write exams, and grading exams.

I was an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Biology 2970, an introductory biology course required for the Biology Major and the Pre-Medical track at Washington University. I held two office hours every week, helped to grade exams and quizzes of the 500+ students in the course, and contributed to writing exam questions.

Department Of Biology

I helped to maintain Drosophila stock lines and assisted researchers in the lab whenever I was needed.

Department Of Biology

I extracted and prepared of DNA from plant tissue for use in PCR, using gel electrophoresis in order to genotype hundreds of individual plants over the duration of the summer.

Department Of Biology

I gained experience with basic laboratory techniques, and learned what the process of fundamental research entails.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biomedical Sciences

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Neuroscience

Education record

Activities and Societies: TEDxGunnHighSchool, 4-Year Varsity Softball