Current lab members
At the Shih Lab, our team is made up of talented individuals who are driven by the desire to make a difference in the world. We are committed to working collaboratively and using our expertise to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of science.
Hung-Yu Shih
Principle Investigator
Bio:
Hung-Yu is a molecular geneticist and an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Utah Tech University. He earned his degree from Chang Gung University in Taiwan and completed a three-and-a-half-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, USA.
In his leisure time, he finds relaxation in activities such as fishing, gardening, and enjoying delicious meals with his family.
Yu-Chien Liu
Program coordinator
Research:
Yu-Chien Liu's primary focus is establishing the zebrafish disease model of Wolfram Syndrome 2. In addition to her research, she mentors undergraduate students, imparting essential biotechniques related to zebrafish care and laboratory maintenance, enriching their academic and practical experience.
Bio:
Yu-Chien Liu, born and raised in Taiwan, is the Zebrafish Research Lab Coordinator at Utah Tech University. In addition to her professional life, she enjoys sports, particularly basketball, badminton, and volleyball. These interests not only balance her work but also serve as a common ground for potential collaborations and conversations.
Avery Zentner
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Avery is primarily focusing on the role of polr3a dysfunction in the progression of 4H Leukodystrophy disease.
Bio:
Avery was raised in Alpine, Utah. She is currently an undergraduate pre-med student studying biomedical sciences at Utah Tech University. In her free time, you’ll likely catch her playing sports, reading, boating, or making ceramic art.
Syrus Miner
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Syrus Miner is working on developing the 4H-Leukodystrophy zebrafish model through polr3b mutation.
Bio:
Syrus Miner is from Northern Utah and is currently an undergraduate pre-med student studying Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Syrus Miner enjoys riding my bike and eating delicious food.
Kaisa Poulson
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Kasia is working on the characterization of Zebrafish in the 4H leukodystrophy model, specifically working to better understand the causes of hypomyelination as well as the effects of the pituitary gland.
Bio:
Kasia is from Brighton Colorado and is currently an undergraduate student studying Biology. She loves to run and spend time with family.
Corbin Arnold
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Corbin is a new undergraduate research assistant currently learning about the different projects that are in progress at the lab. He is practicing different lab techniques and hopes to contribute more to the lab once he has more experience.
Bio:
Corbin was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, but moved to Utah in 2020. He is a pre-med undergraduate student with hopes to attend medical school and become a surgeon. He is a huge nerd who loves Star Wars, but in his free time he also enjoys working out and doing anything outdoors.
Marli Wakefield
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Marli is a new undergraduate research assistant currently learning about all the different projects happening within the lab. She is in the process of learning about the different experiments and hoping to be contribute more to the lab once she has enough practice and experience.
Bio:
Marli Wakefield was born and raised in Mesquite, Nevada. She is currently an undergraduate pre-med student studying Biomedical Sciences at Utah Tech University. She enjoys being outside and spending time with her family and friends.
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Ashton Gardner
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Ashton is a new undergraduate research assistant currently learning about all the different projects happening within the lab. He is in the process of learning about the different experiments and hopes to contribute more to the lab once she has enough practice and experience.
Bio:
Ashton is from Enterprise, Utah. He is currently an undergraduate pre-med student studying Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish at Utah Tech University. In his free time, he likes to play basketball and spend time with his family.
Troy Webb
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Troy is a new undergraduate research assistant who currently learning about the different projects that are in progress at the lab. He is practicing different cutting-edge techniques aiming to contribute to the research.
Bio:
Troy was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and raised in St. George, Utah. He is currently an undergraduate pre-med student studying Biomedical Science at Utah Tech University. He hopes to attend medical school and become a pediatrician. In his free time, Troy spends time camping, hiking, exercising, and spending time with his friends and family.
Tyler Kline
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Tyler is a new undergraduate research student who currently learning the research projects and techniques that are used in p the lab.
Bio:
Tyler Kline is from St. George, UT. He recently graduated with a BFA in theatre with an emphasis in acting from the University of Utah while studying pre-med. Tyler is finishing his pre-med prerequisites at Utah Tech and plans to go to medical school. In his free time he likes to spend time with family and friends, act, play music, and write.
David Shropshall
Undergraduate researcher
Research:
Dave is dedicated to desert agriculture. Dave's research explores the controllable methodologies for stroma regulation. By studying the molecular and environmental factors that govern these processes, Dave aims to contribute to advancements in agricultural practices and enhance the resilience of tomato crops in various climates
Bio:
Dave grew up surfing the waves of Southern California and later served in the military. After his service, he embarked on a dynamic career in the music industry, traveling the globe in a high-stress role. To find balance, Dave turned to his lifelong passion for plants, discovering peace in gardening. A chemistry major with a love for golf, he now spends his free time nurturing various plants in his 12x30’ greenhouse, combining his scientific knowledge with his green thumb.