Yichao Zhou

I am a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University studying how changes in blood-forming stem cells contribute to aging and blood cancers. I completed my PhD in Molecular Genetics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where I discovered new gene regulatory mechanisms that support red blood cell recovery after stress, including blood loss, inflammation, and aging. My graduate work resulted in multiple first-author publications and several research awards. At Stanford, my research focuses on how inherited genetic factors and hormone signaling influence the earliest stages of blood cancer development. I am passionate about translating basic scientific discoveries into better ways to detect and treat leukemia. My long-term goal is to lead my own research team dedicated to improving outcomes for people with blood disorders and preventing their progression to blood cancer.