I got
my bachelor degree from
Inner Mongolia Agriculture
University, and master
degree of science from
University of South
Florida. Now I'm a PhD
student in Dr. Yu's lab.
My work centers onthe
functions of single
peptide in protein
expression, localization
and secretion.In my
spare time, I like to play
games and make desserts.
Email:
ranzhang1@usf.edu
Yaosheng Jia
PhD Student
I got my
bachelor's degree from
City University of Hong
Kong. I started my PhD
study in Dr. Yu’s lab in
Fall 2022. My current
project focuses on
studying mechanisms of
surface protein
secretion and
distribution. Besides
research, I love
reading, traveling, and
trying all kinds of
delicious foods.
Email:
jia106@usf.edu
Salvatore Scaffidi
PhD Student
I
graduated with a B.S. in
Microbiology from USF in
Spring 2020, during which
time I was a volunteer in
the lab.I
began the graduate program
in the Spring 2021,
continuing the projects
from my undergraduate
research to characterize
undefined systems in S. aureuscell
envelope biogenesis.
Outside lab, I like to
travel, try new
restaurants and read.
Email:
sscaffidi@usf.edu
Saidiburkhaniddin (Burkhan)
Adikhanov
PhD Student
Hello,
I am a PhD student
studying the mechanisms of
surface proteins
localization and cell wall
biosynthesis in S. aureus.
I joined Dr. Yu's lab in
Fall 2023. Previously, I
studied MSc in
Biotechnology at the
University of Edinburgh
and worked on developing
synthetic biology toolkits
for cardiovascular disease
diagnosis and treatment at
the University of South
Dakota. Outside the lab, I
enjoy playing soccer,
table tennis, playing pool
and spending time with my
family and kids.
Email:
adikhanovs@usf.edu
María Fernanda Cubero
PhD student
I joined
the Yu lab in Spring 2024. I
am from Costa Rica, where I
did my Bachelor’s on
Biotechnological
Engineering. I have a great
passion for all things
science and hope to one day
let my research impact the
world in a meaningful way.
Apart from the lab, I love
spending time with family
and friends, reading, and
going to the beach.
Quinn Conde
Undergrad researcher
I am a
fourth-year undergraduate
student majoring in
Chemistry and
Microbiology. I’m
volunteering in the lab.
In my free time, I like to
knit, crochet, and read.
I
obtained my Ph.D. from
Indian Institute of
Technology Bombay
(IITB). During my Ph.D.
I studied the regulation
of FtsZ dynamics in Mycobacterium
smegmatis. After
finishing my Ph.D, I
worked as an assistant
professor in Kolkata,
India for two years.
Before joining the Yu
lab, I was a
postdoctoral researcher
in Eswara Lab where I
studied cell division in
Bacillus subtilis and
S. aureus. I
joined the Yu lab to
study cell envelope
assembly in S.
aureus. Outside
work, I love to spend
time with my family and
friends. I have a 5-yr
old daughter who always
keeps me busy when I am
not at work. I love
listening to soft music
and watching
documentaries.
