Yan Qin

Yan Qin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Denver. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Ohio University (2008) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder (2009–2015), specializing in bio-imaging. Her research focuses on the role of zinc in the brain, particularly its effects on axonal transport, neurodegenerative mechanisms, and neuronal signaling pathways. She develops innovative optical sensors and genetic tools to study zinc dynamics in cellular compartments like mitochondria, lysosomes, and the cytosol.

Dr. Qin’s work intersects biophysics, molecular biology, and neuroscience, with contributions to understanding zinc’s role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Her methodologies include advanced microscopy, microfluidic systems, and genetically encoded biosensors. Key areas of exploration include zinc’s effects on microtubules, synaptic transmission, and mitochondrial function.

Her professional affiliations include the American Chemical Society. She has published extensively on topics like zinc-induced axonal transport inhibition, TRPML1-mediated signals, and α-synuclein aggregation. While no awards are explicitly listed, her research has addressed critical gaps in understanding metal ion dynamics in neurological contexts.