ÂÜÀòÂÒÂ×

Darren (Yanqi) Yu, Ph.D. has a diverse work experience in the field of biosciences. Darren (Yanqi) is currently working as a Scientist II at Retro Biosciences since February 2023. Before this, they worked as a Scientist at Fate Therapeutics Inc from October 2022 to February 2023. Prior to that, they served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the UCLA Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from October 2021 to October 2022. During this time, they focused on cell therapy and stem cell engineering, specifically developing engineered hematopoietic stem cells-derived invariant natural killer T (HSC-iNKT) cells with high-affinity non-cleavable Fc receptors for improved antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumors. Darren (Yanqi) also generated iNKT cells from transgenic TCR engineered-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) in feeder-free conditions and developed a 3D organoid-based ovarian cancer and M2 macrophage coculture system to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of CAR T and CAR iNKT cells.

Before their postdoctoral position, Darren worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Indiana University Bloomington from August 2015 to June 2021. During this time, they focused on the cell biology of innate immune cells and developed analytical tools to measure biochemical reactions and dynamics of endocytic organelles in innate immune cells. Darren (Yanqi) established intracellular pH assay and FRET-based lysosome fusion assay to monitor biochemical activities of phagosomes in macrophages and performed live cell fluorescence imaging to monitor phagosomal signaling in macrophages.

Darren (Yanqi) Yu, Ph.D. pursued their education in the field of Chemistry. Darren (Yanqi) completed their Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at Purdue University from 2009 to 2013. Later, they went on to Indiana University Bloomington, where they obtained their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Chemistry from 2015 to 2021.