Richard You Wu - Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Richard WuPhD Candidate
Country of Origin
: Anshan, Liaoning, China
Pre-MSc/PhD Education
2008-2012: Bachelor of Health Sciences (McMaster University)
2012-2013: MD Year 1 (University of Toronto)

Recent Research Experience:
Throughout my undergraduate years at McMaster, I worked as a summer research student at the Brain-Body Institute in Hamilton and my project looked at the effects of probiotic bacteria on intestinal motility. I found it exciting being the first witness to observe, record, and then describe something new that no one has seen before, and then use this information to raise new questions, challenge old beliefs and rework our theories.

Current Research:
The intestinal epithelial barrier plays an important role in gut homeostasis by excluding bacteria and noxious agents from our tissues. However, in newborn babies, this barrier is not fully developed and causes infants to be more susceptible to infections and GI diseases. To prevent this, my research looks at how diet can help modulate intestinal barrier function. More specifically, I’m investigating the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides and human milk oligosaccharides on intestinal epithelial barrier function.

Why Faculty of Medicine?
I’m interested in basic science research that can be used to improve human health, faculty of Medicine was therefore the perfect choice for me. It has leading scientists in every facet of biomedical research, an expert in almost every disease and innovative thinkers who push boundary of knowledge every day. Also, as a student who aspires to become a clinician-scientist, the Faculty of Medicine allows me to connect with valuable mentors, role-models and colleagues who have walked a similar path before. The vast amount of resources, mentorship and the community is tremendous in the faculty of Medicine.

Future Education Plans and/or Career Goals
I’m currently part of the MD/PhD program at U of T and once my PhD is completed at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, I aim to go back to finish my medical training and will pursue a specialty that is in alignment with my research interest. In the future, I hope to become a clinician-scientist at an academic centre and use both my scientific and medical knowledge to help advance the ways we treat and manage our patients.

Contact Ambassador Richard You Wu