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.
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.
Connor Sheeler
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Email: cgshe [at] unc.edu
Connor Sheeler is an undergraduate student here at UNC, studying Biology and Sociology. His current focus is researching the growth dynamics of Mycobacterium abscessus during and post antibiotic treatment, and he aims to learn more about microbial resistance while mastering new techniques such as high-throughput microscopy imaging. Outside of the lab, Connor enjoys going to the gym, playing video games, and attending UNC sports games.
