LAU Kai Ru

Masters Students

Master's student

Current

Social Profile:

Research Interests

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
National Taiwan University, College of Medicine – Research Intern
Taipei, Taiwan | Jul 2025 – Now
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Project: Reprogramming Conventional Dendritic Cells into Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
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Supervisor: Professor Chien-Kuo Lee, Graduate Institute of Immunology.
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Key methods include molecular cloning, viral transfection, flow cytometry, Western blot, qPCR, etc.
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Research supported by Taiwan Exchange Education scholarship, Ministry of Education.
Tsinghua University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Undergraduate Researcher
Beijing, China | Oct 2024 – Jun 2025
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Project: SLC22A17 as a Key Modulator in Iron-Driven Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease
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Supervisor: Professor Ligong Chen, Deputy Dean of Tsinghua School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Conducted bioinformatics analysis of Alzheimer’s Disease datasets to identify expression changes in SLC22A17.
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Treated neuronal cell models and primary neurons from knock-out mice model with Aβ and assessed functional impacts with immunofluorescence, qPCR and western blot.
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Results presented at National Pharmaceutical Talents Forum 2025.
Tsinghua University, School of Life Sciences – Undergraduate Researcher
Beijing, China | Apr 2022 – Sep 2022
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Project: Student Research Training (SRT) – Mechanisms of Gender Differences in Affective Disorders
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Supervisor: Professor Kun Li, Tsinghua University-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research.
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Conducted analysis of dorsal cortical neuron activity using GCaMP calcium imaging and MATLAB.
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Identified and annotated social behaviors in mice models of social anxiety disorder with Enthovision.
National University of Malaysia (UKM), Centre for Tissue Engineering – Student Researcher
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Oct 2016 – Jun 2018
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Project: Canceruption Chip – Stem-cells-Modified Surface for Implanted Microchip
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Supervisor: Professor Angela Ng Min Hui, Head of UKM Tissue Engineering Centre.
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Modified the surface of implanted microchip with stem cells to mitigate the cancer risk associated with friction and inflammation, demonstrated the microchip coated with umbilical cord-derived stem cells migrated the least.
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Selected as Malaysia representative in ASEAN Students Science Project Competition.

Education

EDUCATION
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) – M.S. in Biosciences
Thuwal, Saudi Arabia | Jan 2026 – Now
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Full fellowship for MS/PhD in biosciences supervised by Professor Antonio Adamo.
Tsinghua University – B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Beijing, China | Sep 2019 – Jun 2025
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Thesis: Study on the Functions of Brain Iron Transporter SLC22A17 in Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Awards: Outstanding International Undergraduate Scholarship – Full Scholarship, Beijing Municipal International Students Scholarship, Tsinghua-Guangzhou Pharma Academic Excellence Awards, Excellent Social Work Award.
National University of Singapore – International Summer Exchange, Medical Physics
Singapore | Jul 2022 – Aug 2022

Professional Profile

WORKING EXPERIENCE
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation – Global Intern, Institute of Translational Research – Therapeutics
Hong Kong | Jul 2024 – Aug 2024
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Supported clinical translational studies in Hong Kong key sites including CUHK Phase 1 Clinical Trial Center.
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Conducted thorough due diligence on incoming biomedical companies and technologies, park companies’ annual business update and sustainability assessments.
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Researched on the cross-boundary R&D sample policy and biotech incentives in Greater Bay Area.
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Selected as the international talent representative in HK Financial Secretary meeting.
Demeter Life Science / Rete Health (Healthtech Startup) – Co-founder & Leader
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | May 2023 – Jun 2024
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Startup project on the digital supply chain of nutritional therapy and dietary plan.
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Awards: HKU x HKSTP Co-Ideation Grant, China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition – Third Prize.
Pacific Founder – Associate & Data Scientist
Hong Kong & Shenzhen, China | Jan 2022 – Jan 2024
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Awarded Global Mobility Scholarship for working in 8 countries and 15 Asian cities during gap years.
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Managed deal flow and portfolios with life science, biotech and ASEAN focuses, facilitated technology transfer across China, ASEAN, and Australia with local grant and policy support.
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Developed company database and automation to increase over 50% technology efficiency across teams.
TusStar – Project Intern
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
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Supported cross-border technology transfer, oversea expansion and company localization in Southeast Asia.
LEADERSHIP & EXTRACURRICULAR
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) – Academic Fellow
United States | Sep 2025 – Oct 2025
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Selected as an academic fellow of YSEALI, a U.S. government’s signature, fully funded program.
ASEAN Youth Organization – Country Director
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Feb 2023 – Jul 2024
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Initiated the Malaysia chapter of AYO and expanded the team to 40 people in less than one year.
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Organized ASEAN Youth Digital Forum in Kuala Lumpur with United Nations agency, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which attracted over 120 youth and industry participants from 6 countries.
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Facilitated collaborations and signed MOUs with 10 companies, government agencies, and NGOs.
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AYO was awarded ASEAN Prize 2024 for remarkable contribution in youth empowerment.
Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University – Intern, Admission Department
Beijing, China | Feb 2025 – Jul 2025
World Health Forum – External Communication Officer & Outstanding Volunteer
Beijing, China | Oct 2024 – Nov 2024