The Jin Group

 I'm from Harbin, Northeast China, being half korean and half chinese. I am a chemist and enzymologist. I am committed to several biological projects in my own burgeoning group and in internal and external collaborations using my interdisciplinary knowledge of chemistry, molecular biology, crystallography and NMR. Outside of my research and teaching life, I like going figure skating, jogging, and playing accordion. I am a foodie... so if I have time, I like improving my cooking skills on healthy Chinese dishes.

Yi Jin 🇨🇳

Group Leader, PI

May 2017 - present

Originally I'm from Lake Constance in Germany. I obtained a bachelor degree in chemistry at Marburg University. There I also obtained a master degree in organic chemistry with Prof. G. Hilt. In October I started my PhD where I am developing inhibitors by looking at signaling protein interactions using a structural biology approach. In my spare time I enjoy traveling with friends or spending a quiet afternoon with a book and some sandwiches.

Patrick Baumann 🇩🇪

PhD candidate (Cardiff)

Oct 2017 - present

Davide Zappalà 🇮🇹

PhD candidate (EPSRC)

Apr 2019 - present

I'm Davide from Italy. I obtained my bachelor degree in chemistry and my master degree in organic and biorganic chemistry at University of Catania. Here, at Cardiff University, I'm a PhD student focusing on protein inhibitors design. I love music, being a violin player myself, and my favourite genres are classical, funk and fusion. 

I am currently enrolled as a PhD. student of Materials Science and Engineering at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), in Abuja, Nigeria, a Pan-African university founded by the Nelson Mandela Institutions. In the past two years, I have primarily taken courses and done my research at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, USA, (WPI), under the supervision of WPI’s Senior Vice President and Provost, Winston Soboyejo. My primary research focuses on developing targeted drug delivery systems for the treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. In a bid to expand my experience in chemical biology and link that experience with my primary research, I have joined Dr. Yi Jin, as a visiting student here at Cardiff University, to conduct research that examines the effect of glycoglycerolipids on cancer cells, angiogenesis, and solid tumor growth and analyzes the mode of action of those glycoglycerolipids as anti-cancer therapeutic agents.  I am originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone and I enjoy cooking, travelling, and listening to music.

Sandra Jusu 🇸🇱

Visiting PhD candidate (MNAUS)

Sept 2020 - present

I am from Xi'an, China. I got my bachelor degree at Northwest University in materials chemistry, followed by a master degree in Xi’an Jiaotong University (2020) in Polymer Chemistry. I joined Dr Jin’s group with the support of a CSC Studentship and my goal is to broaden my skill sets in Chemical Biology. My research project is “the structure-activity relationship of nanoparticles-enzyme hybrid nanobiocatalyst”. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and roaming around with my friends.

Mochen (Mia) Dong 🇨🇳

PhD candidate (CSC)

Sept 2020 - present

I was born in the UK and brought up in Kenya. I started studying at Cardiff University in September 2017 as an undergraduate for Chemistry with Year in Industry (MChem). After completing my year in industry as an Analytical Chemist, I have joined Dr Yi Jin’s group to gain more experience in Biological Chemistry. I am undertaking a master’s project on the stringent response in bacteria. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, trying out new cuisines or binging a tv show!

Shriya Shah 🇬🇧

MChem candidate

Oct 2020 - present

I was born in Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire and moved to Cardiff in 2016 to study medical pharmacology at Cardiff University. I decided to stay in Cardiff to complete my MSc in Medicinal Chemistry and am completing my research project on antibiotic resistance with Dr Yi Jin. When I’m not in the lab or studying, I work part-time in the students union, play cricket and enjoy reading. Upon completion of my masters, I hope to pursue a PhD degree in immunology or related field. 

Rebekah Cooke 🇬🇧

MSc candidate

Oct 2020 - present