Yingqi Cai

Dr. Yingqi Cai serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of North Texas, where she investigates plant lipid metabolism and lipid droplet biogenesis. Her work bridges fundamental cellular mechanisms with applications in metabolic engineering for sustainable bioproduct development.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of North Texas (Supervisor: Dr. Kent Chapman)

Research Focus: Dr. Cai's laboratory specializes in lipid droplet biogenesis and regulation, storage lipid compartmentation, and metabolic engineering in plants. Using ultrastructural imaging and molecular techniques, her team studies how lipid droplets—critical organelles for energy storage and stress responses—form and function in plant cells. This research directly informs strategies for engineering high-value lipids in crops while enhancing plant resilience.

Publication Impact: Her 15 publications (2015-2025) reveal a consistent trajectory in plant lipid biology, with increasing emphasis on structural mechanisms and metabolic engineering. Key trends include the discovery of protein complexes regulating lipid storage (e.g., SEIPIN/LDIP) and innovative approaches to boost triacylglycerol production in non-seed tissues.

Scientific Recognition:

• Cover of New Phytologist (2024)
• Cover of Plant Biotechnology Journal (2023)
• Cover of Plant Cell (2021)
• Cover of Plant Biotechnology Journal (2017)
• Faculty of 1000 Recommended (2015)

Research Leadership: As Principal Investigator for a Brookhaven National Laboratory cryo-EM grant (2024-2026) and Co-PI on a $635,026 DOE project (2023-2026), Dr. Cai directs cutting-edge structural and functional studies of lipid machinery. She actively mentors graduate students through UNT's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program, emphasizing hands-on research in lipid engineering.

Laboratory Collaborations: Her UNT lab maintains strong ties with Brookhaven National Laboratory, leveraging national facilities for cryo-electron microscopy while developing plant-based solutions for bioenergy and agricultural challenges.