Yijun Liu
About Yijun Liu
Yijun Liu is the Associate Director of Cell Biology at Kite Pharma, specializing in iPSC reprogramming and upstream bioprocess development. With a background in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Liu has held various research and development roles in academia and industry, including positions at Florida State University, Amgen, and City of Hope.
Work at Kite Pharma
Yijun Liu currently serves as Associate Director of Cell Biology at Kite Pharma, a position held since 2022. In this role, Liu focuses on advancing cell therapy technologies. Kite Pharma is known for its innovative approaches in the field of oncology, particularly in developing CAR T-cell therapies. Liu's expertise in cell biology contributes to the company's mission of improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge therapies.
Previous Experience at Amgen
Prior to joining Kite Pharma, Yijun Liu worked at Amgen as a Process Development Scientist specializing in T cell therapy from 2018 to 2022. During this time, Liu was involved in the development and optimization of processes for T cell therapies, contributing to advancements in the field of immunotherapy. This role built on Liu's extensive background in bioprocess development.
Education and Expertise
Yijun Liu holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering from Florida State University, where studies were conducted from 2011 to 2016. Liu also earned a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Environmental Engineering from South China University of Technology. Liu specializes in iPSC reprogramming, clonal cell banking, and has expertise in upstream bioprocess development and characterization.
Research Experience
Before joining Kite Pharma, Yijun Liu gained significant research experience. Liu worked as a Research Assistant at Florida State University from 2011 to 2016 and at the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2008 to 2011. Additionally, Liu served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at City of Hope from 2016 to 2018. These roles involved utilizing bioreactor CFD and COMSOL multiphysics modeling, enhancing Liu's research capabilities in cell biology and engineering.