UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Ying Yan, PhD

Professor, UNMC Department of Radiation Oncology

Ying Yan, PhD

Ying Yan, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology of the UNMC College of Medicine. She is a cell biologist who is interested in basic and translational research in the areas of DNA damage response, radiation biology, tumorigenesis/metastasis, and anticancer therapies.

The long-term goals of Dr. Yan’s research include:

  1. Defining the roles of Ser/Thr phosphatases in oncogenesis and metastasis.
  2. Elucidating the contribution of Rac1 GTPase signaling to chemo/radioresistance of cancer cells.
  3. Discovering and developing new anti-cancer agents and therapies.

Dr. Yan has a broad background in cell biology, radiation biology, biochemistry, and cancer biology. 

Education
  • Bachelor's: Biology, Yunnan University, 1986
  • PhD: Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, 1992
  • Postdoc: Cellular Aging, Immortalization, and Oncogenesis, Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1994
  • Postdoc: Protein Phosphatases and Signaling Transduction Pathways, Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1999

Research Interests
  • PP2A Ser/Thr phosphatase in pancreatic cancer
  • Discovering novel chemotherapeutics for metastatic breast cancer

  • Development of ultra-high dose-rate (Flash) cancer radiotherapy

  • Targeting Rac1 for chemo/radio-sensitization of triple-negative breast cancer 

 Ying Yan, PhD, research lab

Professional Memberships
  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • American Pancreatic Association
  • European Association for Cancer Research
  • European Academy of Tumor Immunology