Microbiology · UC San Diego

Bryan Chen

Microbiology & synthetic biology researcher

Second-year Microbiology major at UC San Diego with three years of iGEM experience across wet lab, dry lab, and human practices — as a member, a team leader, and an instructor. I turn biological ideas into working systems, from PCR and cloning at the bench to data analysis and science communication.

Portrait of Bryan Chen

About

Hands-on synthetic biology, end to end

Over three iGEM seasons I've worked every part of a synthetic biology project — designing and running wet-lab experiments, analyzing data, and leading the human-practices and communication work that connects research to the real world. I've grown from a team member into a 28-person team leader and, most recently, an instructor mentoring the next generation of student researchers. I'm currently seeking an undergraduate research assistant role in microbiology or synthetic biology.

Featured Project

Dengue prevention through synthetic biology

Experience

Three iGEM seasons, three roles

Instructor · WIST iGEM Team 2025
  • Returned to my high school to mentor the WIST iGEM team in experiments, slide preparation, and wiki content.
  • Taught lab skills, iGEM structure, research ethics & safety, experimental design, plasmid construction, Golden Gate assembly, and BioBrick-based cloning.
🥈 Guided the team to a Silver Medal — 2025 iGEM High School
Student Leader · GEMS-Taiwan iGEM Team 2024
  • Led a high-school synthetic biology team in the international iGEM Competition, coordinating project direction, experimental progress, and all deliverables.
  • Worked across wet lab, dry lab, and human practices — PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial culture, literature review, and scientific communication.
  • Built a dengue-control project using recombinant biolarvicidal toxins, a beetroot-peel attractant, and Taiwan's first sticky ovitrap.
🏆 Grand Prize Winner, Gold Medal, Best Wiki, Best Video & Best New Basic Part
Member · WIST iGEM Team 2023
  • Contributed to my school's first iGEM team across wet lab, dry lab, and human practices — supporting experiments, data analysis, and outreach.
🎖️ Best Education Nomination — 2023 iGEM High School

Capabilities

What I bring to a research team

🧫

Wet Lab Research

PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial culture — grounded in careful experimental design.

🧬

Synthetic Biology Design

Plasmid construction, Golden Gate assembly, and BioBrick strategies for engineering biological systems.

👥

Leadership & Mentoring

Led a 28-member iGEM team and returned to instruct high-school researchers in lab skills and ethics.

📊

Data Analysis

Python and Excel to analyze experimental data and turn results into clear, actionable conclusions.

🗣️

Science Communication

Award-winning wikis, presentations, and videos that make complex science clear and engaging.

🤝

Human Practices & Outreach

Community engagement and responsible-research planning that connect science to real-world impact.

Technical Skills

Tools & techniques

Wet Lab

PCR Pipetting Gel electrophoresis Bacterial culture Experimental design Lab safety & ethics

Synthetic Biology & Project Work

Plasmid construction Golden Gate assembly BioBrick concepts Protocol optimization Human practices & outreach Documentation & wiki editing

Computational & Communication

Python Excel Literature review Scientific writing Slide design & presentations Video editing Canva

Education

Where I've studied

UC San Diego

B.S. Microbiology
Expected 2029

Relevant coursework: Genetics (BICD 100), General Chemistry II–III, Mechanics (PHYS 1A), Data Analysis & Design for Biology (BILD 5), and Analytical Writing.

Visit UC San Diego ↗

Washington International School in Taichung

High School · WIST
Taiwan

Where my iGEM journey began — joining the school's first team, then returning as an instructor to mentor new student researchers. AP Scholar with Honor.

Visit WIST ↗

Awards & Honors

Recognition

2024Grand Prize Winner, High School
iGEM 2024 · GEMS-Taiwan
2024Gold Medal
iGEM 2024 · GEMS-Taiwan
2024Best Wiki, High School
iGEM 2024 · GEMS-Taiwan
2024Best Project Promotion Video
iGEM 2024 · GEMS-Taiwan
2024Best New Basic Part, High School
iGEM 2024 · GEMS-Taiwan
2025Silver Medal (Instructor)
iGEM 2025 · WIST
2023Best Education Nomination
iGEM 2023 · WIST
AP Scholar with Honor
College Board

Let's connect

I'm open to undergraduate research opportunities in microbiology and synthetic biology. The best way to reach me is email or LinkedIn.