Temple University, Biology

Samuel Lai, Ph.D.

I earned my Ph.D. in Biology from Temple University, where my doctoral research advanced the understanding of the nuclear pore complex’s structure and function using several super-resolution microscopy techniques. During this time, I mentored graduate and undergraduate students in complex imaging methods, successfully integrating their work into research projects that earned them co-authorship on multiple publications. As a graduate teaching assistant, I taught both introductory human biology and advanced biochemical research techniques. I also helped redesign laboratory curricula for hybrid and remote delivery, prioritizing flexibility, accessibility, and student-centered learning. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher in the Dr. Samuel Lai Lab, I am engineering precision tools to manipulate the immune system and microbiome. Specifically, my work focuses on the direct genetic reprogramming of circulating immune cells, particularly T cells and B cells, to develop innovative yet cost-effective therapies for various cancers and diseases