Dr. Shasha Chong

Biography

Shasha Chong is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. She completed her B.S. at the University of Science & Technology of China in 2008, followed by a Ph.D. at Harvard University in 2014. Dr. Chong's research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of fundamental cellular processes, particularly through the lens of biophysics and cancer biology. Her primary areas of interest include intrinsically disordered regions in proteins, which constitute a significant portion of the eukaryotic proteome and play crucial roles in various cellular functions. The Chong lab employs advanced single-molecule imaging methods, genomic, and biochemical techniques to visualize and manipulate biomolecules in real-time under physiological conditions. The lab's goals include elucidating the rules governing interactions of intrinsically disordered regions and the regulatory mechanisms of gene transcription in normal and pathological states, including cancer and diabetes.

Research Interests