Lili Yang, Ph.D.
Terasaki Life Sciences Building (TLSB), 3032
Affiliations
- Professor, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
- Member, Eli & Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (BSCRC)
- Member, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC)
- Member, Molecular Biology Institute (MBI)
- Member, Inflammation, Immunity, Infection & Transplantation Theme (I3T)
- Member, GPB Home Area Immunity, Microbes & Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP)
Research Interests
Our research centers on deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling antitumor immunity, and exploiting knowledge to device the next-generation cancer immunotherapies.
Two active research directions are:
1.Identify new immune checkpoints and develop new immune checkpoint blockade therapy for cancer.
- New immune metabolic checkpoints (e.g., creatine).
- New neuron/immune interface checkpoints (e.g., serotonin axis)
- Develop novel “off-the-shelf” allogeneic immune cell therapies for cancer.
- Harnessing unconventional T cells: NKT, γδT, MAIT, and more.
- Engineering stem cells: iPSC, HSC, and more.
- Exploiting gene therapy modalities: TCR, CAR, immune enhancers, and more.
- Targeting a broad range of cancers: blood cancers (e.g., multiple myeloma, AML), solid tumors (e.g., ovarian cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer), and more (e.g., infections and autoimmune disorders).
For details, please visit our lab website: https://www.liliyanglab.com/
Biography
Dr. Lili Yang received her Ph.D. degree in Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), studying with Dr. David Baltimore. She is currently an Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research laboratory at UCLA studies tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, with a special focus on developing gene and cell-based immunotherapy for cancer (https://www.liliyanglab.com/). So far her work has resulted in over 60 publications, 20 patents, 2 clinical trials, and 2 biotech startups.
In recognition of her scientific achievements, Dr. Lili Yang has received multiple prestigious awards, including a TR35 (Innovators Under 35) Award from the MIT Technology Review Magazine, a Director’s New Innovator Award from the National Institute of Health (NIH), a Young Investigator Award from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI), and an Outstanding New Investigator Award from the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT).
Dr. Lili Yang is also widely recognized for her biotech accomplishments. She has been named Women in Biopharma by Endpoints News in 2022, and Top Women in Academic Entrepreneurship by BIOS in 2023.
Publications: