Yang Qu

Yang Qu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick, holding the Cannabis Health Research Chair. His work focuses on plant biosynthesis and natural product chemistry, particularly the specialized metabolites derived from plants like Cannabis sativa and Catharanthus roseus. He holds a PhD in Chemistry and is affiliated with the research group Qubiosyn.

Research Interests: Yang Qu’s research explores how plants synthesize bioactive compounds through biosynthetic pathways, with emphasis on cannabinoids, monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, and their roles in plant defense mechanisms. His team studies enzyme functions, metabolic regulation, and plant physiology to uncover strategies for optimizing natural product production for medicinal and agricultural applications.

Key Research Directions: Recent work includes elucidating biosynthetic pathways for opioids in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), engineering yeast systems to produce alkaloids, and studying metabolic transport mechanisms in Catharanthus roseus. His studies often integrate genetic engineering, metabolomics, and synthetic biology approaches.

Awards & Recognition: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. His work is supported through research grants and institutional funding.

Advising & Collaborations: No student advisees or grant details listed here. His research collaborations likely involve plant biologists, biochemists, and synthetic biologists globally, given the interdisciplinary nature of his projects.