Grace Yu

I am currently a postdoctoral scientist in Professor Anna Gloyn and Mark McCarthy’s research group at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM).I am also an Associate Research Fellow at Harbin Medical University, China. My current research focuses on trying to understand the molecular mechanisms by which coding and non-coding changes in genomic sequences affect gene regulation and protein function in Type II Diabetes. A major component of my research includes genome editing using CRISPR/Cas 9 in human IPS cells with subsequent differentiation down the beta-cell lineage and knockdown and overexpression studies in human beta-cells and primary islets.

I previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, funded by the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre. My earlier research focused on the role of genetics and early environment in the development of cardiovascular disease. I was the manager of the Oxford Cardiovascular Tissue Bioresource of umbilical-derived cells, for subsequently identifying traits that may associated with risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. My work was recognised at the EuroPRevent conference in Lisbon, 2015 where I was a finalist for the Young Investigator Award.