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Alumni Profiles Series: Shuling Guo
Dr. Shuling Guo received her B.S. in microbiology from Shandon University, her M.S. in immunology from Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and her Ph.D. in molecular genetics and microbiology, specializing in molecular cancer biology, from Duke University. She currently serves as vice president for drug discovery at Ionis Pharmaceuticals. At Ionis, Dr. Guo helps identify new oligonucleotide targets for their cardiorenal, pulmonary, and rare disease portfolios. Prior to her current company, she was a founding member of the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. She also serves on the board of directors for the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society.
What brought you Duke?
Early on, I thought about going into medical school, but I was discouraged by my cousin who was already in medical school. Then, research became my passion. I wanted to get more training, so I decided to come to Duke for my Ph.D.
How was your experience at Duke?
I really enjoyed my time at Duke: the school, the environment, the city, and the people there, too. I was in the molecular cancer biology program, but my advisor, Dr. John York, had a joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Pharmacology. It was a yeast genetics and biochemistry lab, and it was great. It was solid training—it taught me how to think critically and to identify and solve problems. It also taught me how to deliver a final research product. But I really wanted to work on something that has a direct relationship to human disease.
So, what came next?
I went to UCLA for my postdoc training with Dr. Owen Witte. I was working with both animal and cell models with a human disease focus. After I finished, my advisor decided to start the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center after the passing of California Proposition 71, which funded stem cell research in the state. He convinced me to stay and help him build the institute. It was fantastic for three years. I established the core lab, helped to hired new faculty, and started new collaborations. But eventually, I decided to move on. I still think stem cell research is important and has a lot of value, but in academia, everything just moves slower. That's when I moved to Ionis. My current role is to oversee the drug discovery activities including target identification and target validation. I really enjoy my work here.
What is your favorite thing about Ionis?
Our goal is to find the best-in-class treatment for diseases with high unmet medical needs. It's really gratifying. I'm really lucky that the product from my first drug discovery project is now on the market and benefitting people. It's called Tegsedi and the next-gen version is Wainua. I really enjoy the team environment as well. Working with the teams at Ionis helped me become more productive and efficient. But the work is not always easy: drug development really takes some strong-minded people because there's so much failure associated with this business. I think only ~10% of the drugs that start in clinical development actually make it through the finish line.
What excites you in your field right now?
Innovation is at the core of Ionis, and we are expanding our drug discovery toolbox. Kids get excited when they have lots of new toys to play with—for scientists it’s the same thing. Technology advancements have been really amazing for the Ionis community.
What is the best career advice that you have received?
Be open-minded and don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Asking for help is not an easy skill. It takes a lot to convince myself to do it, because I come from a different culture. But if you don't ask for help, people don't know how to help you. For early-career scientists, there are a lot of people willing to help as long as you reach out.
How have you stayed connected to the Duke community?
Well, my daughter is on campus now actually. She's a junior. I took her to visit when she was little. Then she decided to apply when she was ready, and she got in. I'm very proud of her. I get to visit more now. We have nice weather in Southern California, but I miss the four seasons and fall colors on the East coast.
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Nathaniel Hernandez
Ph.D. candidate, Pharmacology
Nathaniel Hernandez is a Ph.D. candidate in pharmacology at Duke University. He received his B.S. with high distinction in biology with a pharmacology concentration from Duke University. His research focuses on genetic regulation of chronic primary pain conditions and related comorbidities.