Research Trainee Spotlight: Siqi Tao, MS
As a child growing up in the Anhui province in China, Siqi Tao’s interest in research began while watching the PBS program “Human Nature” on television. “I was captivated by the complexity and beauty of biological systems and felt a strong desire to understand them on a deeper level,” she says.
Siqi attended Beijing Normal University, majoring in biology and taking part in extracurricular activities such as working as a volunteer teacher and leading a field investigation in a mountainous region.
She then relocated to California and now works as a PhD student and Graduate Research Assistant in the Lien Laboratory at CHLA, led by Ching-Ling (Ellen) Lien, PhD, in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. This lab is focused on researching the molecular and cellular mechanisms of heart regeneration, as well as how to enhance the regenerative capacity in diseased human hearts.
Siqi has taken on a unique research project within this space. “I’m studying the effects of electronic cigarettes on cardiovascular functions and diseases,” she explains. She was drawn to study the health impacts of electronic cigarettes based on their prevalence among teenagers and young adults. “We aim to determine if electronic cigarette usage affects cardiac health, with a specific focus on lymphatic vessels, which play a vital role in maintaining heart function.”
Ultimately, Siqi’s goal is to benefit society through her research and one day help to mentor future scientists, by fostering an inclusive environment in academia.
Outside of her research, Siqi enjoys spending time with her cat and pursuing creative hobbies, such as sewing and knitting.
