Student Spotlight: Ziya Tian

Ziya (Tina) Tian is a Florida State University senior pursuing dual degrees in biological science and computer science through the Department of Biological Science and Department of Computer Science, both part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Tian researches disease mechanisms and molecular interactions, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases, by developing computational methods to analyze biological data. In 2024, Tian earned an FSU IDEA Grant, the Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award, to develop a computational tool anticipating the evolutionary development and diversification of cancer over time. Additionally, Tian is the first author of “Expanding the Toolset of Biomolecular NMR with Efficient and Cost-Effective 17O-Labeling via Bacterial Expression,” published this year in Chemistry — A European Journal.

Tell us a little about your background, where you’re from, and what brought you to FSU.

I grew up in Beijing, China, and moved to Tallahassee in 2018. During high school, I took dual enrollment courses at FSU. This gave me a glimpse of the beautiful campus, supportive community, and academic opportunities available, solidifying my decision to study here.

What inspired you to pursue dual degrees in biological science and computer science?

I entered FSU as a biological science major fascinated by the complexity of living systems. After my first computer science course, I discovered I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of coding. Learning more about bioinformatics and computational biology made me excited about solving biological problems through computational methods, such as machine learning, which enables computers to make decisions and predictions based on data. I considered switching my major to computational biology but ultimately decided to pursue a dual degree, retaining a strong foundation in both subjects.

Can you break down your areas of research for us?

My research has shifted as I explore my interests. Early on, I focused on protein structure and interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a species of pathogenic bacteria and the causative agent of tuberculosis. Currently, I’m developing a computational method to infer the evolutionary history of cancer cells.

Tell us about your research assistantships.

In 2022, I joined professor of chemistry and biochemistry Yan-Yan Hu’s lab, the Hu Research Group, to study cell division proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. I conducted experiments to characterize the interactions between two key proteins using electron microscopy imaging techniques. The goal was to uncover mechanisms that could potentially be targeted by new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Since 2023, I’ve worked with assistant professor of computer science Xian Mallory to develop a computational method that can infer patterns from cancer cells’ evolutionary history by analyzing sequencing data, which contain a cell’s genetic fingerprint. This area of research is called phylogenetics, and running the data creates evolutionary trees, or diagrams visually similar to a family tree. For this research, I designed and implemented statistical models and algorithms determining how cancer cells accumulate new mutations over time. This tool has the potential to improve cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies by providing insights into tumor progression and heterogeneity, or varying characteristics present in tumors of the same type.

What do you want the public to know about the importance of your research?

Biology is not just about lab work or field studies as many might imagine. Biological research generates vast amounts of data far too complex to analyze manually. By developing computational methods that analyze and interpret this data, we can gain deeper insights and advance our understanding of diseases, ecosystems and beyond.

Tell us about your recent publication in Chemistry — A European Journal.

“Expanding the Toolset of Biomolecular NMR with Efficient and Cost-Effective 17O-Labeling via Bacterial Expression” is a highly collaborative paper covering part of my research in the Hu Research Group where I developed a new method of labeling proteins with the 17O, or oxygen-17, isotope. Due to its magnetic properties, oxygen-17 is commonly used in nuclear magnetic resonance analysis –– a technique that determines the structure of organic materials using a magnetic field. My labeling method significantly improves the accessibility of oxygen-17, opening new avenues for studying oxygen-related interactions within biomolecules. I’m glad that I’ve been able to contribute to advancing our collective knowledge.

How did earning the 2024 Helen Louise Lee Undergraduate Research Award aid your research?

I received this IDEA Grant to support my cancer phylogeny project. The funding allowed me to dedicate more time and resources to my project. The IDEA Grant program also offered workshops on research skills and career planning, discussion groups with fellow awardees, and an opportunity to present my project at the 2024 President’s Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence. I’m grateful to the FSU Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement for its support in encouraging creativity and intellectual growth.

Tell us about earning the First Place Poster Award at FSU’s 2024 Computational Exposition, or Cx24, and the Fourth Place Poster Award at the FSU Tri-Beta Annual Poster Competition.

My Cx24 poster covered my computational tool for inferring cancer phylogeny, and my Tri-Beta poster presented my work on the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis division proteins. I enjoyed discussing my research with others in the field and practicing my public speaking and presentation skills. I genuinely didn’t expect to win anything, so the prizes were a pleasant surprise.

What does receiving FSU’s Tatar Family Endowed Scholarship in 2022 mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship came as a complete surprise. My selection was based on the information I provided in FS4U –– which I highly recommend to every FSU student because you never know which scholarships you’ll qualify for! I’m grateful to the Tatar Family Foundation for sponsoring this scholarship; it not only financially supported my education, but it also encouraged me to keep pursuing my passions and goals.

Even though you might miss FSU, what are you looking forward to once you graduate?

I hope to pursue a doctorate in computational biology. I’m looking forward to conducting more independent research, applying my skills to tackle biological problems, and deepening my knowledge in the field.