Yu Wang πŸ‹οΈβ€β™€οΈ

About Me

Yu Wang (Amber) is a dedicated cancer researcher committed to advancing translational cancer research and passionate about bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and practical applications in oncology.

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Interests
  • Translational Immuno-Oncology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
Education
  • PhD Molecular and Integrative Physiology, with focus in Immuno-oncology (Expected Graduation 2025)

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • MS Library and Information Science, with focus in Bioinformatics

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • BS Molecular Biology

    Indiana University Bloomington

Highlighted Skills
Wet lab
Mammalian cell culture
Immunology assays
Flow cytometry
Bioluminescence imaging
Dry lab
Python
R
Shell
SQL
My Career Goal and Dedication

As a dedicated cancer researcher, my long-term aspiration is to lead the development of innovative, effective treatments that minimize side effects and address the diverse needs of patients.

Throughout my academic journey, I have observed a significant disconnect between the abundance of research findings and their limited translation into meaningful clinical outcomes. I believe this critical gap can be bridged through impactful translational cancer research.

With my proficiency in both wet and dry lab methodologies, I am poised to drive the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into practical applications that enhance patient care and improve lives.

Please feel free to reach out if you’re interested in working with me πŸ˜ƒ

πŸ“š My Current Research

Cholesterol metabolites play crucial roles in the progression of breast cancer. Our previous research has shown that myeloid immune cells, a dominant cell type within the tumor microenvironment, are especially sensitive to variations in cholesterol regulation.

Oxysterols, which are oxidized forms of cholesterol, serve as ligands for nuclear receptors. Growing evidence underscores the importance of nuclear receptors, particularly those involved in cholesterol metabolism, in influencing cancer progression through their roles in tumor immunology.

My research focuses on elucidating the functions of the nuclear receptor LRH-1/NR5A2, a vital regulator of cholesterol homeostasis, within myeloid immune cells and exploring its subsequent effects on breast cancer progression.

Recent Publications
(2024). 27-Hydroxycholesterol Enhances Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles by ROS-Induced Dysregulation of Lysosomes. Endocrinology, 165, 11.
(2024). MANCR lncRNA Modulates Cell-Cycle Progression and Metastasis by Cis-Regulation of Nuclear Rho-GEF. Molecular and Cellular Biology, 44(9).
(2024). Development of NR0B2 as a therapeutic target for the re-education of tumor associated myeloid cells. Cancer Letters, 597, 217086.
(2024). NR0B2 re-educates myeloid immune cells to reduce regulatory T cell expansion and progression of breast and other solid tumors. Cancer Letters, 597, 217086.
Recent News

πŸŽ‰ Best poster presentation

Best poster presentation at Nuclear Receptors at the Intersection of Cancer and Engineering Symposium

πŸ‘πŸΌ Official PhD candidate

I’m excited to announce that I’ve successfully completed my PhD preliminary exam and am now officially a PhD candidate!