Julia Yang
Julia Yang - Class of 2022
Summer of 2020
Julia Yang is helping scientists seeking to better understand blood disorders. She’s comparing methods of monitoring the regrowth of decimated blood stem cell populations in zebrafish larvae.
“Observing the way that cells rebound from the impact of a blood disorder helps us learn the cause of the disorder, which is a step toward eventually finding the cure,” she said.
Yang conducted her research via Zoom and emails because the coronavirus pandemic prevented her from studying in the laboratory over the summer.
She worked with images of the blood cells of zebrafish larvae, a computer software known as Fiji, and a computer program plug-in known as Streamlined Particle Quantification (SParQ). Fiji enabled her to count the zebrafish blood cell images by sight. SParQ, a program within Fiji, automated the process. The goal was to determine which method was more efficient and accurate.
Yang is calculating the results of her study, but the project has already had one positive result: she devoured many journal articles about stem cell biology, broadening her knowledge of medical science. That’s a great advantage for Yang, who plans to become a pediatric surgeon.
Summer of 2021
Julia Yang became interested in science after performing small experiments at home with her siblings, such as making vinegar and baking soda volcanoes and homemade lava lamps.
That childhood fascination continued to blossom through adolescence and led her to the school’s Science Research Program, where her focus has been researching blood.
“I became interested in researching the human blood system when I realized that many people I know have anemia, which is a prevalent condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells,” said Yang. “There are many different blood disorders and cancers that can result from having anemia, and I wanted to research the different ways these disorders can be prevented.”
Two summers ago, she discovered a research opportunity on hematopoietic (blood) stem cells. Stem cells are, as Yang noted, the “foundation of all the different types of blood cells.” She pursued that opportunity, and last summer conducted research on the production of red blood cells (a process called erythropoiesis) and whether macrophages (a type of blood cell) enhance the process.
“Although bone marrow is the site of efficient red blood cell production in the human body, it will be important to be able to generate blood outside the body,” Yang said. “Adding macrophages may enhance red blood cell production in a dish, because macrophages [can] stimulate the growth of immature red blood cells.”
A challenge is that little is known about which macrophages influence production of red blood cells, so in the study, Yang and her mentors focused on identifying and characterizing macrophage cells to determine whether they play a significant role in producing red blood cells. She used a data analysis software, IDEAS, to filter out the macrophages that had such an association, and found certain macrophages that were positive for specific antibodies were most closely associated in red blood cell production.
“I have learned a lot through this class and I have developed many skills that I believe will be helpful to me even after high school,” said Yang.