Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Emily Yang was born and raised in Southern California. She received both her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics and her doctorate in Molecular Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her doctoral work examined the roles of ubiquitination and RNA binding in the host innate immune response in the context of alphavirus infection. Through her research, Yang plans to continue illuminating the intricate mechanisms of antiviral defense that God has meticulously built into each one of his image bearers. Yang is also passionate about furthering science pedagogy and inspiring her students to think more critically and deeply both within and beyond the classroom.
American Society of Microbiology
American Society of Virology
UCLA: Whitcome Fellowship Award. 2021-2022.
UCLA: Sidney C. Rittenberg Award. 2021.
UCLA: Warsaw Fellowship. 2020-2021.
UCLA: Multidisciplinary Training Grant in Microbial Pathogenesis. 2018-2020.
UCLA: Roy & Dorothy John/Fred Eiserling and Judith Lengyel Teaching Excellence Award. 2020.
UCLA: Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Department Teaching Assistant Award. 2020.
UCLA: Graduate Dean’s Scholar Award. 2017-2019.
UCLA: Summa cum laude and department honors. 2017.
UCLA: Regents Scholar. 2013-2017.
UCLA: Undergraduate Research Scholar. 2015-2016.
“Elucidation of TRIM25 ubiquitination targets involved in diverse and antiviral cellular
processes.” Yang, E., Huang, S., Jami-Alahmadi, Y., McInerney, G., Wohlschlegel, J.A., & Li, M.M.H. Published in PLoS Pathogens, 18(9): e1010743, 2022.
"The role of ZAP and TRIM25 RNA binding in restricting viral translation. " Yang, E.,
Nguyen, L.P., Wisherop, C.A., Kan, R.L., & Li, M.M.H. Published in Frontiers in Cell and
Infection Microbiology, 12:886929, 2022.
“All about the RNA: Interferon-stimulated genes that interfere with viral RNA processes.”
Yang, E. and Li, M.M.H. Published in Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 3195. 2020.
“Chemosensory mechanisms of host seeking and infectivity in skin-penetrating
nematodes.” Gang, S.S., Castelletto, M.L., Yang, E., Ruiz, F., Brown, T.M., Bryang, A.S.,
Grant, W.N., & Hallem, E.A. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 117, 17913-17923. 2020.
“Targeted mutagenesis in a human-parasitic nematode.” Gang, S.S., Castelletto, M.L.,
Bryant, A.S., Yang, E., Mancuso, N., Lopez, J.B., Pellegrini, M., & Hallem, E.A. Published in PLoS Pathogens 13, e1006675. 2017.
American Society of Virology annual conference: “The requirement for ubiquitination in TRIM25-mediated ZAP antiviral activity.” June 2020 & July 2021.
Biola University