Cha Cha Yang​

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Cha Cha is currently a sophomore at Harvard College studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in History of Science. She grew up in Canada and attended a small public school at the heart of the large and vibrant city of Toronto.

 

Cha Cha will be working to better understand the factors which lead to a loss of the AT2 cell identity in vitro with the goal of trying to extend the time human AT2 cells can survive -- and retain their stem cell identity-- in culture  which will allow for the generation of increased quantities of human AT2 cells that can be used for cell therapy.

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What drew you to your field?

An interest in applying what I have learned-- and will continue to learn -- to studying organ regeneration and understanding the clinical applications of regenerative biology research specifically as they pertain to lung diseases.

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What do you do when you’re not in the lab?

(Besides studying and doing my problem sets)

Skate, play the trombone and piano, wander around streets in Cambridge, try new cafes in the city, volunteer

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Describe Rajagopal lab culture in 3 words:

Continuously awe-inspiring