Hongrui Cui

What are you investigating?

I am a virologist trying to figure out how the SARS-COV2 virus going to mutant under the selective pressure from antibodies. The virus is known for its high-mutation probability which might cause the inefficiency or fail of  immune defence the host body developed via natural exposure or vaccination. With the antibodies developed in my lab, I am trying to predict the mutations of the different variants of  SARS-COV2 in vitro. Simplified, I let the viral variants replicating in the cells in vitro with the maintaining mefuam containing certain amount of the antibody. After repeating this for some generations, I can check the changes at the gene and the proteins of the survived viruses. 

What do you think is needed to help people who, like you did, come from non-science backgrounds to make the jump into a science career?

To my knowledge, I feel it is important to have a questioning and reasoning mind-set or capability to have a science career. Finding an interesting and performing research project is usual group work, but as an individual researcher, it is always questioning and proofing your hypothesis and/or improve hte techniques. You can work in science field by taking the task that following protocols only, but if your want science as career, you might want to improve the systems and persuade yourself and the others that your idea is making the work or even the world better. 

What keeps you busy outside the lab? / What are your hobbies?

Many things, most of them are outdoor activities and practical workshops: 

Sport-related: hiking, cycling, swimming, YOGA, kick- boxing, Tennis(a bit), pole-dancing….

I am also fan of hand-making things, like making my own furniture, home decoration, but not trying that many yet.

If I can watch something, I prefer movie, historical, SiFi, drama, Disney-style. 

What is, according to you, the best way to unwind after a long day?

Do you have any tips to stay focused?

Do you have any tips to manage stress?

To answer the three, the answer is high-tensive sports outside or hiking.