
- Title MD/PhD Student – Varelas Lab
- Education B.A. Neuroscience, Wellesley College
- Office K621
- Email cryszhu@bu.edu
- Area of Interest Early Lung Cancer Development
Cancer Immune Evasion
Chemoprevention Strategies
As a graduate student in the Varelas Lab, my research investigates the role of YAP/TAZ signaling in the early development of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Lung cancer has remained the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) being a significant contributor. LUSC is preceded by the formation of bronchial premalignant lesions, and emerging research indicates that YAP/TAZ, which function as transcriptional effectors of Hippo pathway signaling, contribute to malignant disease progression. My work involves using both in vitro and in vivo models to deepen our understanding of premalignant lesion progression, with the goal of developing effective chemoprevention strategies for LUSC.
I earned my B.A. in Neuroscience from Wellesley College, where I conducted research in Dr. Sara Wasserman’s lab. My project focused on using Drosophila as a model to explore how an animal’s internal state influences its response to sensory cues. I studied how dehydration affects Drosophila’s responses to humidity and visual cues associated with water, particularly horizontally polarized light.
After graduation, I worked for three years as a research technician in Dr. Paul Garrity’s lab at Brandeis University. My research there centered on elucidating the neural circuitry and receptors necessary for Drosophila and mosquitoes to detect changes in temperature and humidity.
My aspiration to understand the mechanisms underlying chronic disease development led me to pursue an MD/PhD at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. During my preclinical years, I developed a burgeoning interest in oncology, which led me to join the Varelas Lab in the Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. I am excited to continue my journey in cancer research, with the hope of contributing to meaningful advancements in the field.