Ziyi Qian

About me

I am currently studying Biochemistry at Durham University.

Most of my academic work is related to molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and data analysis. In 2025, I worked on a summer research project in the Department of Biosciences, where I helped prepare and purify tRNA for downstream assays.

Outside coursework, I also write fiction and personal essays, and I keep a small media space for observations about student life, gender, culture, and everyday experience.

This site is not a full CV. It is a place to organise the things I have worked on and the things I am still thinking about.

Summer Research Studentship

Durham Biosciences · Summer 2025

I worked on an RNA biochemistry project involving tRNA preparation and purification.

The work included two-round PCR, T7 in vitro transcription, urea-PAGE, NanoDrop quantification, and DEAE ion-exchange chromatography.

A large part of the project focused on troubleshooting experimental conditions, including MgCl₂ concentration and temperature optimisation. I also maintained lab notes, organised data files, and presented a short summary of the project at the end of the placement.

Selected projects

Project cards are placeholders. Replace the image files and edit each short project description when you have final materials.

tRNA preparation and purification

RNA biochemistry project from my summer research placement.

Image file: images/project-trna-placeholder.jpg

Temperature-dependent alternative splicing of MAF2

Coursework project on transcript isoforms in Arabidopsis.

Image file: images/project-maf2-placeholder.jpg

Human autonomic function analysis

Practical report based on physiological response data.

Image file: images/project-autonomic-placeholder.jpg

Acidity of various vinegars

Poster project involving experimental design, data collection, and presentation.

Image file: images/project-vinegar-placeholder.jpg

Media and writing

Media cards are placeholders. Replace the cover images, descriptions, and links with your articles, fiction pages, or personal media account.

This section collects some non-academic work.

It includes fiction, essays, and posts from my personal media account.

These pieces are less formal than my academic work, but they are part of how I record observations, questions, and changes in thinking.

Media

Personal media account

Article/link placeholder. Replace this card with your public account link, a short description, or a selected post.

ARTICLE / LINK PLACEHOLDER — replace this URL later

Image file: images/media-account-placeholder.jpg

Writing

Fiction / writing archive

Article/link placeholder. Replace this with a fiction page, a writing archive, or selected essays.

ARTICLE / LINK PLACEHOLDER — replace this URL later

Image file: images/writing-archive-placeholder.jpg