Description:

From Crops to Patients: A Career Journey Across Molecular Farming and Clinical Diagnostics

In this seminar, I will share my career journey spanning two biotechnology fields: molecular farming and clinical diagnostics. I began as a molecular biology scientist and later advanced to the genetic screening team lead in the molecular farming industry, where I developed plant-based systems for producing cheese alternatives while gaining valuable experience in genetic screening and team leadership. Recently, I transitioned into clinical diagnostics, where I now work as a senior scientist focusing on NGS assay development for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) detection. Throughout my presentation, I will introduce the backgrounds of both fields, highlight key research projects, and discuss how the technical skills and scientific mindset I cultivated in molecular farming enabled my transition to clinical diagnostics. I will also reflect on the challenges and opportunities I encountered along the way, and share important lessons I've learned about scientific leadership and adaptability. My goal is to inspire graduate students to explore diverse career paths, embrace interdisciplinary learning, and appreciate the broad impact that molecular biosciences can have — from crops in the field to patients in the clinic.

Dr. Yaxin Wang is an innovative molecular biologist with over five years of industry experience spanning molecular farming and clinical diagnostics. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of California, Davis, where her research focused on root parasitic plants and biocontrol methods. At Alpine Bio, Yaxin advanced from scientist to team lead, contributing to multiple patents in plant-based protein expression systems and developing high-throughput genetic screening platforms. Currently, she serves as a senior scientist specializing in next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay development for cell-free DNA detection, driving innovations in precision and personalized diagnostics. Her unique career trajectory demonstrates the versatility of molecular biology expertise across diverse applications, from agricultural biotechnology to clinical diagnostics.