Youjun Wu

I received my bachelor’s degree from Beijing Forestry University, and master’s degree from Institute of Botany in Chinese Academy of Sciences in China. After a few years working on plants, I decided to explore science in worms – I joined Erik Griffin’s lab at Dartmouth College to study cell polarity in C. elegans zygotes for my PhD. I used a range of quantitative imaging approaches to study how cytoplasmic concentration gradients of cell fate determinants are generated and maintained. Trained as a cell biologist, I am always fascinated by how neurons could maintain structurally and functionally distinct compartments and achieve a plethora of biological processes at different intracellular locations. As a postdoc, I aim to utilize my expertise in cell biology to understand neuronal biological questions. My research in the Hammarlund Lab mainly focuses on mechanisms controlling mitochondria transport in neurons and mitochondria localization at synapses. My long-term research goal is to understand how mitochondria localization and function regulate neuronal development, homeostasis and response to injury.   

As a scientist, I make every effort to examine and interpret biological processes in an unbiased way. In life, I try to hold this same attitude toward my daily interactions with other people, and I always self-reflect to admit and eliminate my implicit biases. I believe compassion and empathy are key elements of a human being.

I spend a lot of my time in lab, but outside of the lab, my favorite indoor activity is Karaoke, and my favorite outdoor activity is hiking (and riding roller coasters previously when I was not yet bothered by back and neck problems).