Yi-Wei Chang

Yi-Wei Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as Associate Director of the Institute of Structural Biology and leads the Beckman Center for CryoEM and CryoET. His research focuses on visualizing macromolecular machines in their native cellular environments using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).

Education:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chung Hua University, Taiwan (2004)
• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Academia Sinica & National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan (2010)
• Certification in Research Mentor Training: Effective Communication and Aligning Expectations, University of Pennsylvania (2022)
• Certification in Research Mentor Training: Fostering Independence, University of Pennsylvania (2025)

Dr. Chang's research lies at the intersection of structural biology, microbiology, and bioengineering. His lab specializes in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to study the 3D architecture of macromolecular complexes within intact cells. His work spans structural parasitology, host-pathogen interactions, mammalian cell biology, and microbial systems. A key focus is understanding the molecular mechanisms of apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, particularly their secretory systems and gliding motility. He also develops advanced methodologies including correlative light-electron microscopy and cryo-plasma FIB milling for thick tissue samples.

His recent publications in high-impact journals such as Science, Cell, Nature Communications, and Nature Microbiology demonstrate a strong trend toward in situ structural biology, revealing native conformations of macromolecular machines involved in viral replication, parasite invasion, chromatin organization, and cellular motility. These studies increasingly integrate cutting-edge sample preparation and multimodal imaging techniques.

Scientific Awards:

• Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering (2019)
• ASPIRE Award, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research (2019)
• Catalysts Fellow, The EMBO Journal (2022)
• FIB-Milling Sample Preparation for Cellular CryoET Award, The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation (2022)
• Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease, The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (2023)

Dr. Chang leads an active research group supported by major grants from foundations including Packard, Beckman, Burroughs Wellcome, and the Mark Foundation. He mentors trainees in interdisciplinary research combining biology, engineering, and imaging. His lab is part of the Beckman Center for CryoEM and CryoET, where he plays a leadership role in advancing cryo-ET infrastructure and applications. Future work will continue to push the boundaries of in situ structural biology, particularly in complex tissues and infectious disease models.

Laboratory and Team: The Chang Lab at the University of Pennsylvania is dedicated to pioneering cryo-ET applications in cellular and microbial systems. The team collaborates widely with experts in parasitology, cell biology, and bioengineering to uncover structural mechanisms underlying fundamental biological processes.