Biography

Yu-Chih Lin serves as a scientific project manager for the Therapeutic Development Branch within NCATS’ Division of Preclinical Innovation, where she supports the management of various preclinical projects across different program portfolios, including the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) and Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) programs, as well as projects in the Helping to End Addiction Long-term ® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative ® and Antiviral Program for Pandemics initiatives. Lin is trained as a cellular neuroscientist and works primarily in the field of cellular and molecular regulation underlying several neurological disorders.

Prior to joining NCATS in November 2021, Lin established an independent research group as an investigator at the Hussman Institute for Autism in 2014, where she led her team and collaborating researchers in conducting translational research toward understanding the etiology of autism. In addition to her research contributions, she participated in the development of institutional policy and program direction. At the same time, she served as an adjunct assistant professor in the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology, where she mentored graduate students. Previously, Lin served as a medical writer for BD Life Sciences — Integrated Diagnostic Solutions, where she assisted in generating evidence and preparing manuscripts for clinical studies of diagnostic tools in infectious diseases (e.g., flu, COVID-19 and sexually transmitted infections) and women’s health.

Lin received her bachelor’s degree in zoology from the National Taiwan University and her doctorate in pharmacology from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her postdoctoral training in Yale University’s Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. She also is a certified Project Management Professional and serves as an editor and reviewer for several scientific journals and a private grant foundation.

Research Topics

Lin’s long-term research interest focuses on the cytoskeletal and kinase regulation in neuronal morphogenesis and function and how these mechanisms are compromised in the disease states. She and several collaborating groups have used multidisciplinary approaches — including genomic informatics, cellular and molecular assays, high-resolution imaging, biochemistry, electrophysiology, animal models, human postmortems, and induced pluripotent stem cells — to conduct translational research, enabling them to understand the etiology of neuronal disorders and to identify the druggable target for these diseases.

Selected Publications

1. Factors That Influence the Reported Sensitivity of Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
2. Regulation of Neural Circuit Development by Cadherin-11 Provides Implications for Autism
3. High-Throughput Screening of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Brain Organoids
4. A Rare Human CEP290 Variant Disrupts the Molecular Integrity of the Primary Cilium and Impairs Sonic Hedgehog Machinery
5. Abl2/Arg Controls Dendritic Spine and Dendrite Arbor Stability via Distinct Cytoskeletal Control Pathways