QCB ALUMNI
CLASS OF 2024
“The CBB program ignited my passion for investigation, refining my critical analysis and problem-solving skills. The PhD experience is more than professional growth. It reshaped my perspective on both the scientific field and society and motivated me to actively seek ways to make a meaningful impact. Moreover, sharing this transformative journey with supportive friends in the QCB department has been incredibly rewarding and affirming.”
YIBEI JIANG
CLASS OF 2024
Join the growing ranks of QBIO alumni now working at the highest levels of industry centered on solving complex problems using large scale data analysis.
From world-class research facilities and educational institutions to software engineering at industry-leading tech companies, QCB alumni are among the most highly sought-after graduates entering the workforce today.
Yuxuan Du, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: “Upon graduating from USC, Yuxuan will join the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor.”
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“The CBB program at USC fostered a warm and caring environment that was conducive to collaboration and fruitful learning. It equipped me with advanced skills in bioinformatics, statistics, and machine learning, setting a solid foundation for pursuing my academic career and future endeavors.”
Yilin Gao, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “I joined Adobe as a machine learning engineer in March 2024.”
“My PhD experience in QCB program has been invaluable. The training I received laid a robust foundation for both my research and future career. The supportive faculty, staff, and fellow students have created a nurturing environment where I've thrived both academically and personally. QCB is not just an academic program; it's a supportive community that has enriched my journey tremendously.”
Yibei Jiang, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “After graduation, I plan to enter the field of biotech, driven by my passion for science and the desire to improve human lives. I aim to work in research and development, using my skills to innovate solutions for pressing health challenges.”
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“The CBB program ignited my passion for investigation, refining my critical analysis and problem-solving skills. The PhD experience is more than professional growth. It reshaped my perspective on both the scientific field and society and motivated me to actively seek ways to make a meaningful impact. Moreover, sharing this transformative journey with supportive friends in the QCB department has been incredibly rewarding and affirming.”
Raktim Mitra, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: "Taking my time to decide on the next step: continuing the path of scientific research as a postdoctoral scholar or a research and development oriented industry position. Either way, I plan to continue working at the interface of AI and structural biology."
“I started my CBB PhD program in 2019. After 5 years, I think that my choice could not have been any better. The QCB department and the Rohs Lab supported me through the arduous path of scientific research. It has been a journey of joy to work daily with my friends and peers to tackle hitherto unsolved challenges. The opportunity to attend multiple conferences and other scientific events has been a cherry on top. My sincere thanks to all the QCB faculty, staff, and my peers for making these few years unforgettable.”
Anna Nadtochiy, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: “After completing my PhD, I joined a medical startup focused on developing a continuous, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring device. I hope to see our product reach the market soon. Afterward, I am considering exploring new fields and possibly returning to academia.”
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“My PhD afforded me substantial freedom to explore various scientific areas and techniques. Along this path, the high standards of CBB coursework provided a solid foundation, shaping me into the independent researcher I am today.”
Ji Youn Seo, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “After graduation, I plan to join a leading biotech company, where I'll apply my expertise in bioinformatics to advance research in cancer.”
“My time in the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics program has been transformative, equipping me with advanced bioinformatics tools and a robust analytical framework essential for advancing cancer therapy and research.”
Tianqi Tang, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “Work as a postdoctoral researcher at UCSF.”
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“The education I received in the CBB program has been profoundly enriching, blending cutting-edge computational techniques with deep biological insights, which has empowered me to tackle complex bioinformatics challenges with innovative solutions in my future career.”
Vardges Tserunyan, Ph.D. CBB
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“The CBB program was a great learning experience, with a rigorous curriculum and excellent research output. I am grateful to the program for the excellent mentorship and the growth while being part of the QCB Department”
George Wang, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: “I plan to apply for jobs in the biotech industry.”
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“I had a wonderful time working in a hybrid wet/dry lab environment to develop my skills and become a more well-rounded scientist. I'm excited to take the next step in my career!”
Jiang Wei, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “I will be working with Professor Chen, my mentor, to complete our ongoing project during the summer, and I plan to pursue a career in academia thereafter.”
“My experience in our program has been incredibly valuable, shaping the past few years of my life profoundly. During this time, I not only honed my research skills, which are crucial for my career trajectory, but also learned invaluable lessons about leading a fulfilling and balanced life. This combination of academic and personal growth has been transformative.”
Xiaojun Wu, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “Currently looking for opportunities in academia and industry.”
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“I am grateful for the mentorship from my advisor, Adam, and our faculty; the camaraderie of my talented labmates; and the warmth of the CBB community. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, faculty and staff kept things humming along smoothly. Thanks to all who made our time in the program absurdly normal and wonderfully memorable!”
Jianzhi (Quentin) Yang, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: "I will work as a machine learning engineer in the industry."
“It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience to be part of the best program and the best lab. I dived into interesting research, collaborated with brilliant minds, and pushed the boundaries of knowledge in Computational Biology.”
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Qifan (Alice) Yang, Ph.D. CBB
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Post Graduation: “My plans are to be a postdoc at Texas Children's Hospital or another data scientist job.”
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“The academic journey in the CBB PhD program is very exciting! With rigorous course training in statistical genetics and computer science, I am able to do research on multidisciplinary topics. I have been working on two projects focusing on Computer Vision, Language Processing and Automatic Machine Learning: developing a three-component automatic hypothesis testing platform Neuro-DISK with brain visualization, and proposing a longitudinal Autoregressive Mixed Model to model temporal and spatial relationship with higher precision between brain imaging measures and genetic markers.”
Yuxiang Zhan, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “My short plans are to still conduct research in related computational areas in either industry or academia.”
“I am really thankful to all faculty and staff who have helped me during my time in the CBB program. When dealing with difficulties from course work, research to daily issues, I felt very supported by the department where I was able to concentrate on various projects and enjoyed the academic time for several years at USC.”
Wenxuan Zuo, Ph.D. CBB
Post Graduation: “I will work as a machine learning engineer in the industry.”
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“It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience to be part of the best program and the best lab. I dived into interesting research, collaborated with brilliant minds, and pushed the boundaries of knowledge in Computational Biology.”
