Dr. Manyu Du

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Joined Penn State University in February 2025 as a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology within the Eberly College. Obtained a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Microbiology in December 2019 from Penn State. Prior to joining Penn State, Dr. Du was a postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2020 to 2021 and at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Germany from 2021 to 2024. Originally from China, he earned his bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from Wuhan University in 2013. The Du lab focuses on understanding transcription machineries and regulatory DNA elements that organize the 3D nucleus to regulate gene expression in both healthy and cancerous cells. The lab studies how super-enhancers drive the expression of prominent oncogenes and developmentally important genes, employing advanced microscopy and biophysical approaches.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2025-02-01 — Present

Penn State University • University Park, PA

Teaching and conducting research in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Postdoctoral Researcher

2020-01-01 — 2021-01-01

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Conducted research in molecular biology.

Postdoctoral Researcher

2021-01-01 — 2024-01-01

Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics • Germany

Researched gene regulation and chromosome dynamics.

Requirements for Pennsylvania State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
GRE General
Prerequisites
Master's degree in related field for PhD Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are highly recommended but not strictly required for Applied Linguistics.