Jia L. Song

Dr. Jia L. Song is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware. She leads research on microRNA regulation in developmental processes using sea urchin embryos as a model system. Her work integrates proteomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to study how miRNAs control gene regulatory networks and signaling pathways during embryogenesis.

Education: B.S., Cornell University; Ph.D., University of Washington; Postdoctoral studies at Brown University.

Research Focus: Investigates miRNA roles in cell division (mitotic spindle RNA localization), cell differentiation (lineage separation and boundary formation), and skeletogenesis regulation. Current projects explore miRNA interactions with Wnt, Notch, and Nodal pathways, as well as actin cytoskeleton dynamics.

Teaching: Courses include Developmental Biology (BISC 415/615) and Developmental & Molecular Lab (BISC 412).

Outreach: Collaborates with Delaware Children’s Museum for educational programs and developed microscopy activities with Prof. Gallo-Fox.

Lab Resources: Based in Wolf Hall (Office 323, Lab 018). Active in mentoring over 20 graduate and undergraduate researchers since 2012.