Hi everyone! My name is Lillian Wu and I am currently a senior studying Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, I plan to take a gap year back home in Oregon to work in biotechnology before applying to medical school! Since the fall of 2022, I’ve been working in Dr. Yitshak Zohar’s Biological Microsystems laboratory where we are developing a miniaturized prostate cancer model. Although prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the US, the mechanism of prostate cancer metastases is poorly understood. We understand the cancer initiation and proliferation may be related to an alteration in the prostate stroma microenvironment. As a researcher, my work involves creating a prostate-on-a-chip, where we use microfluidics to culture different prostate cell types in micron-sized channels on a chip smaller than a matchbox! Currently we are trying to understand the optimal culture conditions to keep fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells (both found in healthy prostate cells) in an optimal ratio for a long period of time. Ultimately, these mini-organs will be able to represent the in-vivo prostate gland for cancer studies. Outside of research, school, and medicine, I love to dance anyplace and anywhere I can: I’m a dance minor at the UA! I also enjoy rock climbing and attending concerts!
