Throughout her academic career, Dr. Guo Yajuan pushed the boundaries of research and gained widespread acclaim within the international scientific community. Her research focused on cell apoptosis, cellular autophagy, and the gene-editing technology CRISPR – all are breakthroughs that won  Nobel Prizes.

“My desire to apply cutting-edge technologies and my broad interest in varied fields drive me to translate the work into practical industrial applications,” she says.

Yajuan credits her far-reaching, international education with shaping her scientific trajectory. During undergraduate and graduate work at Zhejiang University, known for cultivating inquisitive minds through its “Seeking Truth and Pursuing Innovation” motto, she gained a strong scientific foundation. She later earned a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the U.S., renowned for its vision of “Protecting Health, Saving Lives – Millions at a Time.”

Yajuan has consistently pushed the frontier of academia. Fostering innovation was a top priority for her when choosing her post-PhD career path. She joined Jacobio in 2021, attracted by the company’s dedication to developing global first-in-class drugs.  

Continuing her work in R&D, Yajuan now serves as Jacobio’s first Scientific Liaison Officer, a role that requires her to toggle between her “scientific brain” to collaborate with internal experts and her “public brain” to partner with departments like Investor Relations, Public Relations and Business Development.

“I get to spread our scientific mission and help many different stakeholders understand how our work can make a difference,” she says.

Her ultimate goal has not changed. Yajuan remains committed to leveraging state-of-the-art scientific technologies to improve the lives of people around the world.