Change Laura Tan

Change Laura Tan received a BS in chemistry from Hunan Normal University, an MS in organic chemistry from Nan Kai University, and a PhD in biochemistry from University of Pennsylvania, and also completed postdoctoral training in genetics at Harvard Medical School.

For Tan, it is via molecules that questions about the origins of life and of biodiversity can be answered. Her early studies focused on molecules involved in the development of vertebrate and insect embryos and the formation of gamete (sperm and egg) cells and identified a few genes involved in these processes. Tan is also keen to develop new tools to facilitate scientific research. More recently, Tan has sought to unveil secrets of life by focusing on how different life forms relate to one another. She compares genes and genomes of organisms to uncover biological information that grants insights about how various heritable traits are genetically, as well as epigenetically, coded and decoded.

Tan cultivates a similar interest in the molecular mysteries of life in students. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, she teaches a molecular biology course. With all students, her goal is to stimulate scientific curiosity and to cultivate critical and independent thinking about nature and life. Her own research background fuels her current interest in developing an open-access textbook on molecular biology.

Tan is an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri. She enjoys reading, teaching, singing, stargazing, fossil-hunting, and playing Chinese chess and poker.