Principal Investigator
Lili Yang, Principal Investigator
Lili received her B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Science & Technology of China (USTC) in 1997, her M.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 1999, and her Ph.D. degree in Biology from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2004. She had her postdoctoral training and led the Engineering Immunity Program at the Laboratory of David Baltimore at Caltech from 2004-2012. She joined UCLA as a faculty in 2013. Lili runs the Yang Engineering Immunity Lab studying tumor immunology and developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies.
Besides research, Lili enjoys reading and traveling.
liliyang@ucla.edu
Staff/Scientists
Bo Li, Assistant Researcher (2019-Current)
Bo received his B.A. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Wuhan Institute of Technology in 2005, and his Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College in 2010. He was a postdoctoral scholar at the Loma Linda University (LLU) and UCLA from 2010-2016, and an Assistant Professor at LLU from 2016-2019. He returned to UCLA and joined the Yang Lab as an Assistant Researcher in October of 2019. Bo leads the Yang Lab research on developing the next-generation immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer.
Besides research, Bo enjoys traveling and playing with his two sons.
bo.li@ucla.edu
Jie Huang, Lab Manager (2019-Current)
Jie Huang received her B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the East China University of Science and Technology, her M.S. degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2005, and a second M.S. in Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine in 2017. She joined the Yang Lab in January of 2019. Jie manages and assists the Yang Lab research activities.
Besides research, Jie enjoys reading and traveling; she is also technology-obsessed!
jieh@ucla.edu
Postdoctoral Scholars
Charlie Yan-Ruide Li, Postdoctoral Scholar (2021-Current)
Charlie received his B.A. degree in Life Science from Zhejiang University in 2017, and his Ph.D. degree in Immunology from UCLA in 2021. He received his PhD training at the Yang Lab, and his PhD thesis work was on developing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies. After PhD graduation, he continued his postdoctoral training at the Yang Lab, focused on developing a broad pipeline of “off-the-shelf” immune cell therapies for cancer.
Besides research, Charlie enjoys traveling, swimming, and watching movies.
charlie.li@ucla.edu
Derek Lee, Postdoctoral Scholar (2022-Current)
Derek received his B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of California, Davis in 2013. He then moved to San Diego and worked in the Pharmaceutical Company to develop protein therapeutics. He received his Ph.D. training in the Yang Lab from 2018-2022, working on developing γδT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer. After PhD graduation, he continued his postdoctoral training in the Yang Lab, focused on developing iPSC-derived “off-the-shelf” immune cells for cancer therapy.
Besides research, Derek enjoys reading, playing board games, and traveling.
ylee932@ucla.edu
PhD Students
“Coin” Kuangyi Zhou, PhD Student (2022-Current)
Coin received his B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) from UCLA in 2020, and pursued an M.S. degree in Immunology at Imperial College London from 2020-2021. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Immunity, Microbes and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) Home Area at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab in Summer of 2022. Kuangyi works on deciphering human MAIT cells from biology to “off-the-shelf” cell therapy.
Besides research, Coin enjoys calisthenics, skydiving, and scuba diving; he is also an entrepreneur.
James Elsten-Brown, PhD Student (2022-Current)
James received his B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2021. He is currently a PhD student in the Immunity, Microbes and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) Home Area at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab as a Staff Research Associate in 2021-2022, then as a PhD student in Summer 2022. James teams up with Dr. Bo Li on developing next-generation immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer.
Besides research, James enjoys visiting national parks and reading about evolutionary biology.
Tyler Halladay, PhD Student (2023-Current)
Tyler received his B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Davis (UCD) in 2022. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA and joined the Yang Lab in Spring 2023. With a passion for translational research and cancer immunotherapy, Tyler is working to develop iPSC-derived “off-the-shelf” γδT/NKT cells for immunotherapies against solid tumors.
Besides research, Tyler enjoys playing sports (soccer/basketball/golf/badminton), watching movies with friends and family, and traveling.
John Yichen Zhu, PhD Student (2023-Current)
John received his B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in 2023. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) home area at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab in February of 2022 as an undergraduate researcher, then in Summer 2023 as a PhD student. John works on unconventional T cells from biology to “off-the-shelf” cancer immunotherapies.
Besides research and classes, John enjoys sleeping, reading novels, and eating delicious food.
Christine Yuning Chen, PhD Student (2023-Current)
Christine received her B.S. degrees in Computational and System Biology (CaSB) and Statistics and Data Science from UCLA in 2023. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP) Home Area at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in June of 2022 as an undergraduate, then in Fall 2023 as a Ph.D. student. Christine works on developing next-generation “off-the-shelf” immune cell therapies for cancer using biological as well as bioinformatics tools.
Besides research, Christine enjoys baking, music, and traveling.
Undergraduate Students
XINJIAN CEN, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT (2021-Current)
Xinjian is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in June of 2021. Xinjian worked with Alice Yang Zhou on developing and translating iNKT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer, and is now working with Derek Lee on developing iPSC-derived “off-the-shelf” immune cells for cancer therapy.
Besides research, Xinjian enjoys doing arts and crafts, volunteering, and exploring food places.
QUENTIN SCARBOROUGH, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT (2021-Current)
Quentin is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. He joined the Yang lab in September of 2021. Quentin works with Dr. Bo Li on developing novel immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer.
Besides research, Quentin enjoys basketball, traveling, and snowboarding.
Jennifer Chiang, Undergraduate Student (2021-Current)
Jennifer is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in August of 2021. Jennifer works with Dr. Bo Li on developing novel immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies for cancer.
Besides research, Jennifer enjoys volunteering, playing badminton, and performing colorguard choreography in UCLA’s Bruin Marching Band.
Taylor Basso, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Taylor is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in January of 2022. Taylor works with Charlie Yanruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research and classes, Taylor enjoys going to the beach, music, and roller skating.
Elliot Kang, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Elliot is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab in January 2022. Elliot works with James Elsten-Brown and Bo Li on researching effects of small molecule immune checkpoint inhibitors on alternative macrophage polarization as a cancer therapy.
Besides research, Elliot enjoys playing the piano and singing in his a cappella group at UCLA.
Mona Ying Fang, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Ying is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) with a minor in Bioinformatics at UCLA. She joined the Yang lab in February of 2022. Ying works with Charlie Yanruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research and classes, Ying enjoys reading, creative writing and grocery shopping.
Niels Dawson, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Niels graduated from UCLA in 2023 with degrees in Political Science and Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. He joined the Yang Lab in 2022 and continued after college graduation, while he is currently applying to MD/PhD programs across the country. Niels works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based “off-the-shelf” cancer immunotherapy.
Besides research, Niels enjoys hiking, food, and hanging around large trees!
nielsdawson@g.ucla.edu
Sasha Semaan, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Sasha received her B.S. degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) from UCLA in 2022. She joined the Yang Lab in October of 2022 as a gap-year student. Sasha works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based “off-the-shelf” cancer immunotherapy.
Besides research, Sasha enjoys reading, listening to music, and traveling.
sashasemaan@g.ucla.edu
Fujia Guo, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Fujia is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab in October of 2022. Fujia works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based “off-the-shelf” cancer immunotherapy.
Besides academics, Fujia enjoys playing board games, tennis, swimming, and reading.
fguo20@g.ucla.edu
Nancy Zibai Lyu, Undergraduate Student (2022-Current)
Nancy is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) with a minor in Biomedical Research at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in November of 2022. Nancy works with Charlie Yanruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research, Nancy enjoys playing the Erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument.
zibai2002@g.ucla.edu
Yanxin Tian, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Yanxin is an undergraduate student majoring in biochemistry at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in March of 2023. Yanxin works with Charlie Yanruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
Besides research, Yanxin enjoys singing, photographing, and crocheting.
Stella Huang, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Stella is an undergraduate student majoring in Computational and Systems Biology and minoring in Statistics. She joined the Yang Lab in February of 2023. Stella works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou to computationally analyze genomic datasets for the development of MAIT-cell based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research, Stella enjoys picnicking, reading, and hiking (in moderation).
Angela Song, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Angela is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in April of 2023. Angela works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on investigating MAIT cells to develop the next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
Besides research, Angela enjoys playing badminton, cooking, reading books, and exploring specialty cafes in LA.
Alba Mendis, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Alba is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. She joined the Yang lab in April of 2023. Alba works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research, Alba enjoys reading and baking.
Tigran Sahakyan, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Tigran is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. He joined the lab in April of 2023. Tigran works with Charlie Yan-Ruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
Besides research, Tigran enjoys listening to classical music, working out, and watching movies.
Elise Sanchez, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Elise is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in April of 2023. Elise works with Dr. Bo Li and James Brown on developing novel immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer.
Besides research, Elise enjoys trying new coffee shops/restaurants in LA & traveling.
Renee Wen, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Renee is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in March of 2023. Renee works with Dr. Bo Li and James Brown on developing novel immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for cancer.
Besides research and classes, Renee enjoys traveling, watching cute dog videos, and trying new dessert places.
Truman Ma, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Truman is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. He joined the Yang Lab in April of 2023. Truman works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based “off-the-shelf” immunotherapy for cancer.
Besides research, Truman enjoys gaming and reading manga.
Malianna Bahar Jazari, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Malianna is an undergraduate student majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) at UCLA. She joined the Yang Lab in April of 2023. Malianna works with Coin Kuangyi Zhou on developing MAIT cell-based “off-the-shelf” cancer immunotherapy.
Besides research, Malianna enjoys hiking, swimming, and baking.
Christian Castro, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Christian is an undergraduate student majoring in Computational and Systems Biology and minoring in Data Science Engineering at UCLA. He joined the lab in October of 2023. Christian works with Christine Yuning Chen on developing next-generation “off-the-shelf” immune cell therapies for cancer using bioinformatics tools.
Besides research, Christian enjoys cooking, playing sports with friends, and watching new TV shows.
Darcy Siyue Niu, Undergraduate Student (2023-Current)
Darcy is an undergraduate student majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at UCLA. She joined the Yang lab in November of 2023. Darcy works with Charlie Yanruide Li on developing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies for cancer.
Besides research, Darcy enjoys watching documentaries on archeology.