Cesi Deng, who is from Changsha, China, is graduating this spring with a PhD in genetics. In the below Q&A, she talks about her work in stem cell biology and serving on the CALS graduate school committee. Cesi plans to keep pursuing translational research to hopefully advance our understanding of disease and bridge basic biological discovery with therapeutic development.
What’s your hometown? / Where did you grow up?
My hometown is Changsha, Hunan, a city in Southern China known for spicy cuisine.
Why did you decide to go into your field of study?
I study stem cell biology using various genetic and genomic tools. I was drawn to stem cells because of their remarkable ability to self-renew and generate diverse cell types and their therapeutic potential. I’m especially inspired by how modern genomic technologies enable us to dissect the secret of stem cells at an unprecedented resolution, which motivates me to use these tools to investigate stem cells. This combination of fundamental biology and translational potential is what led me to the stem cell field.
What are your future career or academic plans?
My plan is to keep pursuing translational research to hopefully advance our understanding of disease and bridge basic biological discovery with therapeutic development.
What were the most valuable and/or meaningful experiences you had in CALS?
The most meaningful experience I had in CALS was serving on the graduate student committee. In this role, I contributed to graduate student admissions, student advocacy and other efforts to support junior graduate students in identifying thesis labs and searching for thesis committees. This is a unique chance for me to use my own experience to help others and build our graduate program together, making it our shared home.
When you think about your time here in CALS, what are you proud of?
I am proud of the strong foundation I built in genetics and genomics research during my time in CALS. Our department has a rich history in genetics, and I benefited greatly from learning not only through my own research, but also through interactions with faculty, fellow students, and visiting speakers. This broad exposure shaped how I think about science and gave me an intellectual foundation that I will carry with me throughout my career.
If you had to eat one Babcock ice cream flavor for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
The flavor of my choice would be Badger Blast. I have always been a huge fan of chocolate ice cream in general, and this one is so special with its rich, creamy texture and the sprinkled dark chocolate flakes that make every bite more fun.
What’s your favorite thing about the city of Madison?
I love the Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square. I could always get fresh produce, the best collection of flowers and warm-baked goods all in one place. Even just walking around the square and taking in the lively energy of the market would make me relaxed and satisfied.