PNNL

Ying Zhu, a chemist with the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), was recently named to the Power List of the top 40 most influential people in analytical science under the age of 40 by The Analytical Scientist. 

Individuals on the list are described as analytical science’s rising stars who are anticipated to provide answers to the 21st century’s largest questions. 

Zhu’s research focuses on developing highly sensitive and high-throughput technologies for measuring proteins and small molecules from limited amounts of samples. He co-invented the Nanodroplet Processing in One pot for Trace Samples (nanoPOTS) platform, which combines microfluidics, robotics, and ultrasensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry systems to achieve single-cell analysis of protein expression in single cells. He works in the instrument development lab at EMSL and also closely with PNNL’s Integrative Omics group in the Biological Sciences Division. 

“I am a technology-driven researcher,” he said. “I am always exploring the use of new engineering approaches for chemical measurement … There is a rising interest to develop single-cell RNA sequencing technology with droplet microfluidics. I found there was a clear gap for single-cell protein analysis, which my expertise may be perfectly positioned to address the gap.” 

The nanoPOTS platform, Zhu said, is the accomplishment he is most proud of from throughout his career. 

“I am proud not only that we developed the proof-of-concept technology, but also that we were improving it and applying it in many scientific areas, such as single-cell proteomics, spatial proteomics, and single-cell multiomics,” he said. 

Zhu has published more than 75 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has been cited more than 3,500 times. Earlier this year, he was selected as an R&D finalist for his co-invention of nanoPOTS by R&D Magazine. 

When it comes to being named to the list of the top 40 researchers under the age of 40 by The Analytical Scientist, Zhu said it is a huge honor. 

“I am very excited and honored to be included in the list among many talented young analytical scientists in the world,” he said. 

In addition to his career accomplishments, Zhu has mentored a variety of master and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and young scientists. He said he has also been mentored and supported by others who are more senior or established in their careers, learning from their experiences and watching their paths through science. 

“It is interesting to see how everyone fixes problems using their own unique way,” he said. “Scientific research is hard. Most of the time we will fail, become frustrated, and lose direction. As a mentor, the most important thing is to support those you are mentoring with your own knowledge, encourage them, and partner with them to go through challenges.” 

Looking toward the future, Zhu looks forward to exploring the use of new technologies to understand how cells are organized in human tissue and organs. 

“I want to explore how I can use my expertise to help the development of new medicines and to understand the origin of many diseases,” he said. “We know so little about this because of the lack of promising technologies.” 

For more information on the Power List for the top 40 scientists under the age of 40 by The Analytical Scientist, visit theanalyticalscientist.com/power-list/2022.