Vince Su is a PhD in Pharmacological Sciences student and soon-to-be 2025 UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate. Initially a transfer student from a community college, Su’s experiences in the Schriner Lab as an undergraduate researcher inspired him to pursue his PhD.
“My research focuses on making cells immortal by understanding the mechanisms of cellular aging. In the Schriner Lab, we use yeast as a model organism to investigate known anti-aging compounds and how they affect mitochondrial dysfunction. In a recently submitted manuscript, we discovered that one of these compounds, spermidine, has a toxic effect on yeast with mitochondrial dysfunction,” he shared.
In addition to his research, Su has been a mentor to undergraduate students. This includes serving as a learning assistant for “PharmSci 1,” the same class that helped him adjust to life at UCI and in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. The course provides transfer students with information about campus resources, educational and professional opportunities, and more.
“‘PharmSci 1’ helped me access many resources and bond with my cohort when I first arrived at UCI as an undergraduate student,” said Su. “I love mentoring undergraduate students and working on projects with them, and I have a strong passion for teaching — seeing students succeed is incredibly satisfying.”
Su will soon graduate from UCI and earn his PhD in Pharmacological Sciences. After graduating, he wants to continue his research on aging.
“I believe aging research has the potential to eliminate some of the most lethal diseases, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and many types of cancer,” he said. “I truly enjoy my research and its potential to make a difference in the world.”
