PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
jennkong [at] uw [dot] edu
@jennkong.bsky.social

Bio: I was born and raised in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii. I became interested in science after I spent a summer at the University of Hawaii catching crustaceans on the beach and using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine their central nervous systems. Excited to learn more, I pursued a PhD in Neuroscience at UCLA, where I studied signaling pathways and their role in spinal cord development. As a postdoc at Stanford University, I pivoted to Biochemistry and focused on developing a sensitized screening system to identify novel regulators of the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Science Focus: As a new Assistant Professor (Jan 2023!) at the University of Washington, I am excited to study the molecular mechanisms that underlie signaling sensitivity. My overall goal is to understand how individual cells modulate their response to environmental cues via a remodeling of proteins at their cell surface. Advances in this area will provide new insights into embryonic development and regeneration.

What brings me joy: The company of family and friends, supporting trainees with grant writing assistance, being inspired by the Leading Edge Fellows group, crisp western blots, good poke bowls, and cute cat videos.

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
pragya09 [at] uw [dot] edu

Bio: I grew up in New Delhi (India). Initially, I decided to study Biology in high school because I dreamt of becoming a physician, but during a lab visit, I fell in love with wet lab research instead. For this reason, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences followed by a master’s degree in Biotechnology. I became interested in protein biochemistry during my master’s thesis work where I worked with parasitic proteins to help identify novel inhibitors. Eager to learn more, I pursued my doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh (UK). I used biochemistry and cell biology to study the regulatory role of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) in the maintenance of centromere identity, which is essential for accurate cell division.

Science Focus: During my graduate research, I came to appreciate the importance of the tight control of different cellular processes to prevent disorders. During my post-doc in the Kong lab, I am excited to study the regulation of cellular signaling pathways that control embryonic development. I am particularly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms modulating hedgehog signaling sensitivity.

What brings me joy: Spending quality time with my family and loved ones is my favorite thing to do. I also enjoy cooking (I especially like trying out new recipes I find online) and occasionally like to go on long walks to explore new places like – bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and farmer’s markets.

BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS, STRUCTURE AND DESIGN (BPSD) GRADUATE STUDENT
SCHULTZ TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT!
ISCRM FELLOW!
leigao [at] uw [dot] edu
Joined Summer 2023!
PhD Candidate Sept 2024!

Bio: I was born in Wuhan, China. I became interested in science as an undergraduate, when I volunteered in a neurobiology laboratory, studying changes in the central nervous system of Alzheimer’s Disease and Fragile X Syndrome. Desiring to learn more, I pursued a master’s degree in Neuroimaging and Informatics at USC and worked in a neuroanatomy lab at UCLA, where I studied human brain imaging, neural connectivity in the mouse, and their changes in neurodegenerative diseases. I am excited to learn more about molecular mechanisms and de novo protein modulations in my pursuit of a Ph.D. in BPSD at UW.

Science Focus: I am excited to study the molecular mechanisms of embryogenesis, morphogen regulation, cell communication, and relative diseases. I am particularly interested in the nervous system. My overall goal is to understand how neurons are differentiated from stem cells, how they respond to environmental factors, and how they build connections to form networks for functions.

What brings me joy: Baking and cooking, exploring Seattle activities and food, hanging out with families and friends

CHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENT
SCHULTZ TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT!
Joined Winter 2024!
PhD Candidate May 2026!

Bio: I was born and raised on the beautiful Island of Maui in Hawaii. My interest in chemistry came during my sophomore year of my undergraduate degree where I had the privilege of working in an organic chemistry lab. We used chemical instrumentation and concepts to study the amount of ozone reacting with the plasma membrane of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. After earning my Bachelor's of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology, I continued my education in chemistry and continued research to prepare for a graduate degree. At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I had the opportunity to look at the link between oligomerization and folding of proteins, specifically leptin. In my graduate studies, I hope to focus on using chemical techniques to study the mechanism behind biological systems, specifically looking at signaling pathways and protein-protein interactions.

Science Focus: I am excited to learn new biochemical techniques and to expand my understanding of how to use chemical techniques to further biological research. During my rotation, I will be using a new cell line to see if the addition of hedgehog causes components of the MMM complex to be elevated at the cilia.

What brings me joy: I enjoy spending time with friends and family, finding and trying new cuisines and restaurants, enjoying the beautiful nature of the Pacific Northwest, exploring and traveling to new places, and finding new anime tv shows that I have not yet seen.

BIOCHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENT
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TRAINING GRANT (CMBTG) RECIPIENT!
SCHULTZ TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT!
ISCRM FELLOW!
Joined Spring 2024!
PhD Candidate November 2025!

Bio: I was born and raised around the greater Seattle area. My interest in science started early in middle school during my first chemistry class. In high school I was searching for careers that geared towards my interests and decided I wanted to pursue biomedical research. This led me to obtain my B.S. in biochemistry at the University of Washington. During my undergraduate studies, I did research investigating how genetics influence the risk of osteoporosis. I chose to continue my academic journey at UW because of my love for research and desire to become an independent scientist.

Science Focus: I am excited to further my knowledge of biochemistry and developmental biology! Specifically, I plan to learn more about the Nodal signaling pathway and investigate its effect on left-right patterning using the gastruloid model, an innovative system involving embryonic stem cell aggregates that mimic gastrula-stage embryos.

What brings me joy: Spending time with my family and friends, music, eating good food, TV shows, traveling

RESEARCH SCIENTIST
MCNAIR SCHOLAR!
NIH/NIGMS SUPPLEMENT RECIPIENT!
2024 SACNAS RESEARCH PRESENTATION AWARD RECIPIENT!

Bio: I was raised in Bellevue and Renton, WA since I was 8 years old. In 2023, I graduated from the University of Washington as a Molecular Cellular Developmental (MCD) Biology Major. I became interested in science during my time in Biology 200 where we learned about embryogenesis, signal transduction pathways and cellular differentiation. I am excited to dive into these topics from a biochemical perspective!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Bio: I was born in Taiwan but moved to and raised in Shanghai at four. I am a junior majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology here at UW. I am interested in science since middle school and that interest had continued to grow ever since. I decided to pursue biology in high school after our biology teacher showed us a documentary about CRISPR-Cas9, talking about how it would be a promising technique once it matured, which made me more passionate about the cellular level of the mechanism under such technique. And now: SCIENCE IS MY LIFE!!!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Bio: I've lived in Redmond, Washington my whole life. I'm an undergraduate majoring in Public Health-Global Health at UW on the pre-med pathway. I first became interested in biology through science competitions and lab courses in high school, which has helped nurture my love for science and research!

Science focus: I look forward to learning new wet lab procedures and research methods as part of the Kong Lab! I'm specifically interested in the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways and their role in the congenital disease hydrocephalus because of my interests in pediatrics and neuroscience.

What brings me joy: Cafes, doing henna, spending time with family and friends, and baking banana bread!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
MARY GATES RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Bio: I was born in Wichita, Kansas but I've spent most of my life in Mukilteo, Washington. I'm currently a first-year with an intended major in biochemistry. I've loved science ever since I looked at a cell through a microscope for the first time in my middle school biology class. From there, I've explored science in many ways through various classes in schools and summer programs where I've explored the development of skin cancer. I'm excited to explore biochemistry further at the Kong Lab!

Science Focus: I'm looking forward to learning wet-lab procedures and how scientists build experiments to explore their research questions. I'm also excited to learn more about Hedgehog signaling and its role in the development of organs like the brain and spinal cord.

What brings me joy: plants, exploring restaurants and bookstores, spending time with my loved ones, crocheting and knitting (especially sweaters), and mangoes.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
MARY GATES RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
ISCRM SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOW!
MARY GATES RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT!
LEVINSON EMERGING SCHOLAR!
WALTER AND MARGARET SARGENT AWARD RECIPIENT!
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN BIOCHEMISTRY RESEARCH (2025)
Currently: Research Scientist in the Inbal Lab at UW!

RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Currently: Graduate Student at UW! Fulbright Scholar!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TESSA!!!!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Currently: Graduate Student at NYU!

MCB GRADUATE STUDENT
(Rotated Spring 2024!)

Currently: Graduate student in the Young Lab!

BPSD GRADUATE STUDENT
(Rotated Winter 2024!)

Currently: Graduate student in the Ruohola-Baker Lab!

MCB GRADUATE STUDENT
(Rotated Winter 2024!)

Currently: Graduate student in the Cherry Lab!

BIOCHEMISTRY GRADUATE STUDENT
(Rotated Fall 2023!)

Currently: Graduate student in the Merz Lab!

BRIGHT-UP SCHOLAR
(OFF TO COLLEGE FALL 2023!)

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
(GRADUATED 2023!)