Jian Yu

Jian Yu is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California with a secondary appointment in Cancer Biology. His research explores the mechanistic coupling of intestinal stem cell injury with regeneration, focusing on cancer driver-dependent regulation of cell death, stress adaptation, and immunologic outcomes. The long-term goal is to identify novel targets for colon cancer prevention and treatment through stem cell normalization and epithelial barrier longevity.

Research Interests:

• Cancer driver-dependent regulation of cell death pathways
• Stress adaptation mechanisms in intestinal stem cells
• Immunologic outcomes in gastrointestinal cancers
• Novel therapeutic targets for colon cancer
• Stem cell and niche normalization strategies

Awards & Honors:

• Innovator Award, University of Pittsburgh (2011)
• Research Scholar Award, American Cancer Society (2010)
• Junior Scholar Award, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (2008)
• Young Investigator Award, The Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (2005)
• Hillman Fellow of Innovative Cancer Research (2004)
• Young Clinical Scientist Award, Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (2003)
• Michael A. Shanoff Research Excellence Award, Johns Hopkins University (2001)

Dr. Yu has been active in teaching and mentoring students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty. His recent publications demonstrate a focus on targeting Myc-driven cancers, immunogenic cell death mechanisms, and novel therapeutic approaches for colorectal cancer.