Qingyun Liu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Email: qingyun_liu [at] med.unc.du
Dr. Qingyun Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Liu completed his Ph.D. in Dr. Qian Gao’s lab at Fudan University and conducted postdoctoral training in Dr. Sarah Fortune’s lab at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research leverages population genomics to investigate the mechanisms underlying the evolving traits of bacterial pathogens, including transmission and drug resistance.
Taryn Miner, M.S.
Lab Manager
Email: Taryn_Miner [at] med.unc.edu
Taryn is the Liu Lab Manager and Research Specialist. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at UNC and her Masters in Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue University. She has a background in microbiology and genetics and molecular biology research. Outside of the lab, Taryn can be found watching UNC basketball, baking, hiking, or singing in her community choir.
Mingyu Gan, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Email: mingyu_gan [at] med.unc.edu
Mingyu Gan is a postdoctoral research associate who earned his PhD under Professor Qian Gao at Fudan University. His research focuses on the genetic heterogeneity and evolution of Mtb. He developed a method for detecting mixed infections using whole-genome sequencing and established SAM-TB, a visualization platform for transmission and drug resistance prediction. After his PhD, he joined the Molecular Medicine Center at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, developing a clinical pathogen detection platform based on metagenomic sequencing. He enjoys tennis, fitness, reading novels, and war-related gaming.
Zhu Xing
Graduate Research Assistant
Email: xingzhu [at] unc.edu
Zhu Xing is a PhD student studying Epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and Global Health and her master's in Microbiology at Arizona State University. She has a background in microbiome bioinformatics research, working with 16S and metagenomics data. Outside of school, she likes to stay home and enjoy cooking.
Ashlyn Anderson
Rotating Graduate Student
Email: ashlynea [at] email.unc.edu
Ashlyn is a rotating PhD student in the BBSP program. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Bemidji State University. After graduating she joined Dr. Harmit Malik's lab at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center where she studied the evolution and diversification of histones. She is interested in exploring how mutations influence bacterial growth and persistence. Outside of the lab, she enjoys making chainmail, rollerskating, hiking with her dogs, and hanging upside down on a lyra.
Hannah Friedman
Rotating Graduate Student
Email: hfriedz [at] email.unc.edu
Hannah is a PhD student in the BBSP program interested in joining the Microbiology & Immunology department. She earned her undergraduate degree in public health with a concentration in biology at Franklin & Marshall college. While at UNC, Hannah is interested in studying antimicrobial resistance topics including how pathogens evolve to resist antimicrobials, novel treatment options, and virulence factors. Outside of lab, Hannah likes to play volleyball and trying new recipes.
Milena Deal
Rotating Graduate Student
Email: Milena_Deal [at] med.unc.edu
Milena is a first year PhD student in the BBSP program who is rotating in the lab. She earned her undergraduate degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA. While at UCLA, she studied the genetic mechanisms underlying abdominal obesity using computational and genomics approaches. Outside of lab, Milena enjoys spending time in nature.
Lingbo Zhou
Collaborative Graduate Student
Email: lzhou1 [at] unc.eduu
Lingbo Zhou is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biostatistics, primarily based in Yun Li’s lab as a collaborative PhD student. She works in collaboration with Qingyun on research related to identification of new drug-resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Rongfeng Sun
Research Assistant
Email: Rongfeng_Sun [at] med.unc.edu
Rongfeng Sun's research focuses on understanding the genetic interactions between M.tuberculosis and its host in determining infection outcomes. He has expertise in gene editing of bacterial and eukaryotic cells and macrophage infection assays. Outside of the lab, Rongfeng enjoys traveling, hiking, and watching movies across a wide range of genres.
Ken Chen
Research Assistant
Email: kenc [at] email.unc.edu
Ken Chen has expertise in bacterial high-throughput microscopic imaging and gene editing. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind the recent expansion of Mycobacterium abscessus. Ken earned his master’s degree from Sichuan University. Outside the lab, he enjoys 19th-century Russian novels, poetry, exploring the city by bike, and hiking in nature.
Victoria Nguyen
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Email: vnguyen [at] unc.edu
Victoria Nguyen is an undergraduate student at UNC, pursuing studies in Chemistry and Business Administration at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Victoria's roles in pharmaceutical marketing, healthcare services, and leadership projects have refined her strategic thinking and detail-oriented skills. The lab's focus on the mechanisms of drug resistance and transmissibility in pathogens complements her aspirations for a career in pharmacy, and she hopes to gain insights into the mechanisms of microbial resistance and its implications for public health. Outside of her research interests, she enjoys cooking, running, and thrifting.
Fiona Hasanaj
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Email: fhasanaj [at] unc.edu
Fiona Hasanaj is an Honors biology student at UNC, whose academic pursuits are complemented by hands-on experience in clinical care at UNC Hospital as a patient safety observer. Her background in humanities research, focusing on antibiotic resistance and its sociological implications, has cultivated a unique interdisciplinary perspective. Fiona plans to pursue a Master's in Medicine, Literature, and Culture, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician, allowing her to bridge the gap between scientific research and humanistic approaches in healthcare. Outside of her academic pursuits, Fiona enjoys baking, delving into research literature, and exploring new cuisines.
