Karen Zeyu Zhu
About Karen Zeyu Zhu
Karen Zeyu Zhu is a Senior Scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, specializing in microbial systems analysis and drug discovery. She has a Ph.D. in Biology from Boston College and has held positions at notable institutions including the Icahn School of Medicine and Takeda.
Work at Broad Institute
Karen Zeyu Zhu currently serves as a Senior Scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She has held this position since 2022, contributing to the Innovation Lab for Microbial Systems Analysis (MiSA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her work involves utilizing -omic approaches and cell-based analyses to support drug and biomarker discovery efforts.
Previous Experience in Research
Prior to her role at the Broad Institute, Karen Zhu worked as a Scientist at Takeda from 2021 to 2022 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai from 2020 to 2021 in New York City. Earlier in her career, she was a PhD Graduate Student at Boston College from 2013 to 2020 and a Research Assistant at Brandeis University from 2012 to 2013.
Education and Expertise
Karen Zhu earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology from Boston College, where she studied from 2013 to 2020. She completed her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry at The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2008 to 2012. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her research focus on the mechanisms underlying human genetic and infectious diseases.
Research Focus and Methodologies
Karen Zhu's research primarily focuses on uncovering mechanisms related to human genetic and infectious diseases. She employs -omic approaches and cell-based analyses as part of her methodology, which are crucial for informing drug and biomarker discovery. Her expertise in these areas supports advancements in understanding complex biological systems.
Thesis and Early Research Experience
Before her advanced studies, Karen Zhu was a Thesis Student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2012. This early research experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent academic and professional pursuits in the field of biology and biochemistry.