Mary (Junjie) Ma (she/her)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Biological Sciences, Mellon College of Science
Hometown: Yunan, China
- Briefly describe the work you're doing as a postdoc at CMU. As a postdoctoral researcher with a background in medical training, I have always been driven by a commitment to improving human health. My current work focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying dietary evolution across mammals—for example, identifying the genomic nucleotide sequences that may enable functional gene expression patterns that help “make a carnivore a carnivore.” From my perspective, this line of research can deepen our understanding of the long-term health consequences of dietary habits. In addition, because I concentrate on liver tissue, my work may also help explain previously identified genetic variants associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- How did you develop an interest in this area?
I earned my PhD in Food Science and Technology, which naturally led me to nutrition-related questions tied to human health, and this project is one of the key directions I have chosen to pursue. Dr. Irene Kaplow’s strong background in comparative genomics across hundreds of species has been pivotal in inspiring me to approach these questions from an evolutionary perspective.
Mother Nature has already provided us with ideal “model systems” in the form of species that have evolved advantageous fitness under fixed or flexible dietary habits. As scientists, we can study these naturally evolved models to uncover the molecular drivers of the diet–fitness axis. For instance, cats are known to consume a diet very high in meat-based protein, yet this does not appear to impose the expected burden on their liver or kidneys. My research aims to help fill in some of these gaps in our understanding.
Of course, unlike controlled laboratory experiments, it is challenging to obtain samples from all of these fascinating species. This is why the Kaplow lab leverages machine-learning–based prediction to help bridge that gap. I look forward to sharing more of my findings with you soon.
- What are your academic and/or professional goals?
Let me briefly explain my career trajectory. I earned my PhD more than 10 years ago, which may naturally raise questions about the path I have taken since then. During my first postdoctoral position, I had the privilege of becoming a mother, and my priorities shifted entirely to my family. I chose to resign from that role and become a stay-at-home mother to fully embrace that calling.
When my children grew older, I tried to return directly to academia as a postdoc, but the gap in my CV made me less competitive. I therefore decided to re-enter research as a research associate. For three consecutive years, I devoted myself to my project, often working on weekends and holidays to maintain momentum and grow scientifically. Over time, this perseverance reaffirmed a clear message for me: I am ready to advance my academic career.
My long-term goal is to become a faculty member and lead an independent research program that promotes human health, building on my expertise in molecular biology.
- Tell us about a significant moment in your journey at CMU so far.
At CMU—especially within the Department of Biological Sciences—I have received tremendous support from an exceptional community. Changing career roles can be challenging, but I was able to make a smooth transition in a reasonable timeframe thanks to the guidance and encouragement I received from both my previous and current positions.
In addition, being part of the CMU postdoctoral community has given me valuable opportunities to learn about career-related topics through programs organized by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. These activities have been tremendously helpful in preparing me for the academic job market.
- How do you spend your time beyond academic work? I always enjoy Friday movie nights with my family—it feels like a fresh, happy start to the weekend. Outside of family time, I love watching TV shows, because I often find myself learning from the characters and their stories. One story after another, I feel as though my own life is enriched by all the experiences I might never go through myself.
