Highlight: Lab Manager & Research Technician Wei-Tai Chen

Wei-Tai Chen, a lab manager and research technician, was highlighted in a UArizona Health Sciences article. Chen works with Donna D. Zhang, PhD, the Musil Family Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery and professor of pharmacology and toxicology, and Matthew Dodson, PhD, an assistant research professor of pharmacology and toxicology. 

Dr. Zhang is researching the physiological and pathological roles of Nrf2 in diseases induced by arsenic exposure. Chen is primarily involved in the lab's arsenic-induced diabetes project. 

After completing his master’s degree, Chen worked as a sales executive at Nanshan Insurance Company in Taiwan for two years. He moved to Arizona and joined the Zhang lab in June 2022.

“My career path took a somewhat unconventional route compared to my academic background,” he said. “I sought opportunities here and returned to the field of pharmacology, which I was familiar with. Dr. Zhang’s remarkable research capabilities and her prominent role in her expertise, coupled with the lab’s extensive publications and abundant resources, attracted my attention.”

A typical day for Chen involves ensuring the lab is running smoothly, supply ordering, equipment maintenance, setting up experiments, checking in on them throughout the day and assisting lab mates when needed.

He said it took about a month to become familiar with his role and an additional month to develop a sense of comfort and confidence.Chen is primarily involved in the Zhang Lab’s arsenic-induced diabetes project.

Dodson, who works closely with Chen, had high praise for his colleague: “Since joining our lab, Wei-Tai has grown immensely and is considered one of the most reliable members of the lab.”

In just over a year of working in the Zhang lab, Chen has picked up new skills and already contributed to research publications.

“Scientifically, he has learned several new techniques, including complex mouse genotyping and breeding, as well as immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence,” Dodson said. “His ability to generate consistent and reproducible results has been a great asset to our team. His efforts are evidenced by the fact that he already has two second author publications, one first author review, and a manuscript that he has contributed more than half the data for in just over a year. Overall, he has significantly enhanced the efficiency and scientific rigor of most of our lab projects.”

Article originally appeared on UA Health Sciences Connect.