Yi Yang, PhD, CRI-Irvington Postdoctoral Fellow University of Pennsylvania Area of Research: All Cancers Dr. Yi Yang aims to elucidate the limitations of laboratory mice in modeling human immune responses. She acknowledges that exposure to infectious agents is crucial for immune system development and aims to elucidate the mechanisms of immune activation triggered by distinct infectious agents. Dr. Yang hypothesize that the artificial conditions in which mice are maintained contribute to their immature immune system, that hampers the development in cancer immunotherapy. In her study, Dr. Yang aims to infect laboratory mice with different combinations of microbes to identify essential microbial signals for immune maturation. By understanding how these infectious agents impact immunity, she aims to create a more authentic model that mimics human immune responses. Ultimately, Dr. Yang’s goal is to uncover novel strategies for combating diseases, particularly in the context of cancer immunotherapy. Projects and Grants Trans kingdom interactions in the gut and immune development
