Rong Gao will join the laboratory as a Ph.D. student in Fall 2027. She is expected to receive her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine (Elite Program) from Jilin University in 2027, where she has demonstrated excellent academic performance, ranking among the top students in her cohort.

During her undergraduate studies, she has developed strong expertise in CRISPR/Cas-based molecular tools and nucleic acid detection. Her research has focused on developing rapid and sensitive molecular diagnostic methods for viral pathogens. As the principal investigator of an undergraduate research project, she established a one-pot RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based visual detection method for bovine rotavirus and bovine enterovirus. She is also a co-first author of an article on the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR/Cas systems, published in Biotechnology Advances.

Her future doctoral research will focus on tissue clearing, neuroimmune mechanisms, and whole-body 3D imaging. She aims to explore innovative molecular approaches and advanced imaging technologies to investigate biological processes in their spatial context.