Dr. Song’s research background focuses on adeno-associated virus (AAV) biology, engineering, and gene therapy development. Her AAV journey started at the University of Florida—the birthplace of AAV vectors—under Drs. Arun Srivastava and Mengqun Tan, followed by postdoctoral and early faculty training at the University of North Carolina with Dr. Matthew Hirsch, and industry experience with Dr. R. Jude Samulski. Her journey continues at Gene Therapy Institute at The Ohio State University, where her research centers on AAV biology and ocular gene therapies.

Her early studies demonstrated AAV6 and engineered AAV6 capsids are optimal for hematopoietic stem cells, positioning AAV6 as a preferred vector for gene editing in these cells. Her postdoctoral work supports IND-enabling studies for AAV-mediated therapy targeting MPS-associated corneal blindness. Her AAV biology work includes inverted terminal repeat (ITR) engineering to enhance vector safety and persistence, as well as human-to-human (H2H) translational program to accelerate bench-to-bedside translation.

Her work received honors include the NCBiotech Gene Therapy Fellowship, UNC Research Excellence Award (postdoctoral), ASGCT Career Development Award, and GTI Pilot Award.

Senior Research Technician

Her research interests focus on translational approaches to corneal endothelial disease, with a current emphasis on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Bringing over a decade of experience in molecular biology and AAV vector-based research, she uses quantitative molecular assays—including ddPCR, biodistribution analysis, and protein/expression profiling to investigate LNP/AAV-based therapeutic approaches for FECD. She also contributes to the H2H project by evaluating the biodistribution and gene expression of different AAV serotypes. Her background spans nonclinical/preclinical gene therapy development, in vivo model systems, and cross-functional translational research, which she now applies to advancing therapeutic strategies for genetic diseases.

Research Technologist

M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.S. Neuroscience, Simmons University

Her research interests focus on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying degenerative diseases, with a current emphasis on corneal endothelial disorders. She has experience using iPSC-based models to study neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Fragile X syndrome. Currently, she is working on a gene-editing project for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), focusing on TCF4-associated CTG repeat expansion. She also contributes to the H2H project by establishing Cas9-enriched targeted Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing.

Postdoctoral Scholar
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Kentucky
B.S. Chemistry, Northeast Normal University

Her research interests focus on developing quantitative imaging and molecular approaches to study biological systems. During her Ph.D., she estabilished single-molecule fluorescence imaging and molecular counting methods to investigate membrane receptor subunit stoichiometry. Currently, she is exploring AAV-based gene therapy for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) while bringing her imaging expertise to investigate fundamental questions in AAV biology.

Research Contributor

Xiaomin Zeng is a biostatistician with more than 20 years of experience in the analysis and interpretation of biological and health-related data. She is currently gaining hands-on experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques while contributing to gene therapy research. By integrating quantitative expertise with experimental training, she aims to bridge the gap between quantitative analysis and experimental biology. Her research interests include biostatistics, molecular biology, genomics, and translational biomedical research.

Student Researcher
B.S. Biology, Ohio State University

Sean Esposito is a second-year biology major at The Ohio State University. His research interests center on ophthalmology and applying biomedical research to improve patient care. His previous research experience includes coauthoring a study on unipolar signal-guided cardiac ablation published in Heart Rhythm. As he begins his work in the lab, he looks forward to developing his research skills and exploring the mechanisms and treatment of ocular disease.