Sammy is originally from Weihai, a coastal city in Shandong Province, China. He obtained B.Sc. in Microbiology in Shandong University and did his Ph.D. training at the Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Shanghai. During grad school, Sammy studied a salt water unicellular green alga, Dunaliella salina, hoping that the unique aspects of this organism may lead to a better source for Bio-hydrogen. Continuing his love of unicellular organisms, he came to UCLA and worked with Dan S. Ray (with whom nobel prize laureate Randy Schekman started his undergraduate work in the 70s) for three years to learn about mitochondrial DNA replication mechanisms in trypanosomatic parasites. In 2007, he started working with Lars Dreier and learned about cellular degradation/recycling mechanisms (Ubiquitination, Autophagy) and investigating how these may be related to synaptic transmission (using C. elegans as model), aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In 2021, he joined the Plath lab and is now interested in exploring how mitochondrial autophagy controls and supports iPSC reprogramming, and also studies how Xist expression is regulated. He also works on projects that are part of the “Impact of genetic variation on function (IGVF)” consortium of the NIH. Outside of lab, Sammy enjoys spending time with his family and his cat Sofia, reading, playing soccer/tennis/frisbee, biking, skiing, and hiking.