Mee-Ngan F Yap

Mee-Ngan F Yap is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology-Immunology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research focuses on decoding alternative ribosomes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), exploring how ribosome composition, antibiotics, and stressors influence gene expression and bacterial pathogenesis. Her work bridges fundamental biology and applications in human and plant diseases.

Education:

• PhD in Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biochemistry, National Institutes of Health/NIDDK (2011)

Research Interests:

Dr. Yap’s lab investigates ribosome structure-function relationships, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and bacterial stress responses. Using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches, her team examines how ribosomal adaptations enable bacterial survival under stress, with implications for developing novel antimicrobial strategies.

Honors & Awards:

• MAVEN Scholar, Northwell Health (2024)
• Marsha Betley Distinguished Lecture (2022)
• NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2010-2014)

Advising & Grants:

Dr. Yap has secured grants from the NIH and Pew Charitable Trusts, supporting her investigations into ribosome dynamics. She mentors students and postdocs in her lab, fostering interdisciplinary research in microbial pathogenesis.

Labs & Teams:

Yap Lab website highlights ongoing projects on ribosomal mechanisms in pathogens. She collaborates with the Institute for Augmented Intelligence in Medicine and the Robert J. Havey Institute for Global Health to advance translational research.