Amy Zheng
Chemical Engineering, Vanderbilt University
PhD expected Winter 2022
We are excited to introduce our GradSWE GMC, Amy Zheng! Before this, Amy was our GMC-Elect, and the GradSWE Developmental Mentoring Coordinator in FY19 and FY20. Before that, she was the SWE section president at the University of Kansas in FY17 and the SWE Section Graduate Student Coordinator in FY15 and FY16. Amy has won several awards, including the GradSWE Outstanding Individual Award in 2020, the NSF Research Fellowship in 2019, and the NSF GRFP in 2018.
Amy’s research topic is optimization of biofuel production in algae using metabolic flux analysis. Biofuels production from algae has the potential to completely replace our reliance on fossil fuels. However, the cost of production is currently preventing this technology to be used on a large scale. This economic problem can be solved by creating a strain of algae that can be optimized for biofuel production. Amy is currently working on metabolically altering a type of micro-algae called Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Metabolic flux analysis allows her to identify potential bottlenecks in metabolism that are preventing maximum production of raw biofuel products. From these results, she can target specific enzymes for knockdown or overexpression to create a strain that is optimized for biofuel production.
Amy plans to pursue a postdoc position in academia or government after graduation. Eventually, she would like to become a professor.
Amy’s hobbies include cooking and hiking.
Fun fact: She got a rescued hamster during the coronavirus lockdown. His name is Toffee!
Find Amy on Instagram as @amyzhinger and on LinkedIn here!
Chemical Engineering, Vanderbilt University
PhD expected Winter 2022
We are excited to introduce our GradSWE GMC, Amy Zheng! Before this, Amy was our GMC-Elect, and the GradSWE Developmental Mentoring Coordinator in FY19 and FY20. Before that, she was the SWE section president at the University of Kansas in FY17 and the SWE Section Graduate Student Coordinator in FY15 and FY16. Amy has won several awards, including the GradSWE Outstanding Individual Award in 2020, the NSF Research Fellowship in 2019, and the NSF GRFP in 2018.
Amy’s research topic is optimization of biofuel production in algae using metabolic flux analysis. Biofuels production from algae has the potential to completely replace our reliance on fossil fuels. However, the cost of production is currently preventing this technology to be used on a large scale. This economic problem can be solved by creating a strain of algae that can be optimized for biofuel production. Amy is currently working on metabolically altering a type of micro-algae called Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Metabolic flux analysis allows her to identify potential bottlenecks in metabolism that are preventing maximum production of raw biofuel products. From these results, she can target specific enzymes for knockdown or overexpression to create a strain that is optimized for biofuel production.
Amy plans to pursue a postdoc position in academia or government after graduation. Eventually, she would like to become a professor.
Amy’s hobbies include cooking and hiking.
Fun fact: She got a rescued hamster during the coronavirus lockdown. His name is Toffee!
Find Amy on Instagram as @amyzhinger and on LinkedIn here!
