Yi-Tsang Lee

Dedicated immunologist with expertise in cancer immunotherapy, T cell biology, and protein engineering.

About

Results-driven PhD immunologist with over six years of experience in molecular biology, protein engineering, and immunotherapy research. Currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at La Jolla Institute for Immunology, focusing on T cell biology and cancer immunotherapy for translational advancements. Skilled in NGS, CRISPR genome editing, and optogenetic systems, with a proven track record in high-impact research and mentorship.

Work Experience

La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Immunology
T-cell
Cancer Research

2025 - Present

Postdoctoral Fellow

Conducting research on T cell biology and cancer immunotherapy.

Design and implement molecular techniques to study immune signaling
Collaborate on translational immunology research for therapeutic targets
Mentor junior researchers and present findings at scientific conferences

Immunology
T-cell
Cancer Research

Texas A&M University
Protein Engineering
CRISPR

2024 - 2024

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Focused on protein engineering and immunotherapy development.

Optimized CRISPR genome-editing for gene function studies
Designed optogenetic/chemogenetic systems for cellular signaling
Authored high-impact publications on cancer progression mechanisms

Protein Engineering
CRISPR

Texas A&M University
Imaging
NGS
Optogenetics

2018 - 2024

PhD Student

Engineered drug-responsive and light-controllable protein systems.

Investigated fusion genes in renal cell carcinoma with multi-omic sequencing
Developed CRISPR-knock-in systems with dTAG technology
Mentored students and contributed to 10 peer-reviewed publications

Imaging
NGS
Optogenetics

Texas A&M University
Genomics
Animal Study

2017 - 2018

Research Assistant

Studied aging effects on genome maintenance in liver regeneration.

Performed partial hepatectomy in mice models
Conducted immunohistochemical staining and data analysis

Genomics
Animal Study

Education

Texas A&M University

2018 - 2024

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Medical Sciences

Texas A&M University

2015 - 2017

Master of Science (M.S.), Biotechnology

China Medical University

2009 - 2013

BS, Nutrition

Skills

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
CRISPR Genome Editing
Protein Engineering
Molecular cloning
Python
R
Cytiva AKTA (Protein Purification)

Publications

Latest List

A Chemogenetic Toolkit for Inducible, Cell Type-Specific Actin Disassembly

TH Lan, N Ambiel, YT Lee, T Nonomura, Y Zhou, JB Zuchero

Small Methods (2025)

Light-activated macromolecular phase separation modulates transcription by reconfiguring chromatin interactions

YJ Kim, M Lee Jr, YT Lee, J Jing, JT Sanders, GA Botten, L He, J Lyu, Y Zhang, M Mettlen, P LY, Y Zhou, J Xu

Science Advances (2023)

Optogenetic engineering of STING signaling allows remote immunomodulation to enhance cancer immunotherapy

Y Dou, R Chen, S Liu, YT Lee, J Jing, X Liu, Y Ke, R Wang, Y Zhou, Y Huang

Nature Communications (2023)

Identification of a STIM1 splicing variant that promotes glioblastoma growth

J Xie, G Ma, L Zhou, L He, Z Zhang, P Tan, Z Huang, S Fang, T Wang, YT Lee, S Wen, S Siwko, L Wang, Y Du, N Zhang, X Liu, L Han, Y Huang, R Wang,Y Wang, Y Zhou, W Han

Advanced Science (2022)

Proteomic mapping and optogenetic manipulation of membrane contact sites

G Lin, W Shi, N Zhang, YT Lee, Y Wang, J Jing

Biochemical Journal (2022)

Ten-eleven translocation ablation impairs cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

S Fang, D Cui, T Hong, L Guo, YT Lee, M Lee, S Isgandarova, M Martinez-Moczygemba, Y Zhou, J Li, Y Huang

Stem Cells (2022)

Targeting epigenetic regulatory machinery to overcome cancer therapy resistance

L Guo, YT Lee, Y Zhou, Y Huang

Seminars in Cancer Biology (2022)

Optogenetic control of calcium influx in mammalian cells

YT Lee, R Chen, Y Zhou, L He