Michelle Yu

Michelle Yu, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. She is a Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician-Scientist with a leadership role as the Associate Program Director of the UCSF Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center and as the Principal Investigator of a basic science laboratory. Dr. Yu provides clinical care in the ICUs at Parnassus and Mount Zion.

• Education:
• BA in Chemistry and Physics, Harvard University (2003)
• MD, PhD in Biophysics and Physiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2011)
• Internal Medicine Residency, Brigham and Women's Hospital (2014)
• Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship, UCSF (2018)

Dr. Yu's research is centered on understanding and treating Cystic Fibrosis lung disease, with a specific focus on the mechanisms of lung infection, particularly by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the resulting inflammation. Her work spans from fundamental biophysical studies of enzyme mechanisms to highly translational research. Her laboratory investigates bacterial pathogenesis using advanced tools like Mobile-CRISPRi and develops novel therapeutic strategies, such as polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes for targeted antimicrobial delivery to biofilms. She also has a strong interest in the ethical and regulatory aspects of research, as demonstrated by her work on human fetal tissue regulation, and in improving medical education, especially in the post-COVID era.

An analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend towards translational and clinical research in pulmonary medicine and microbiology. While her early career was rooted in the biophysics of cytochrome c oxidase, her work has pivoted to address critical challenges in Cystic Fibrosis. Her current research integrates molecular biology, microbiology, and nanotechnology to develop new diagnostics (e.g., 11C radiotracers for bacterial sensing) and therapeutics for chronic lung infections and inflammation.

Dr. Yu is actively involved in the academic and clinical mission of UCSF. As a Principal Investigator, she leads a basic science laboratory, indicating her role in securing grants and mentoring junior scientists. Her position as Associate Program Director highlights her commitment to training the next generation of physicians. Her passion for medical education is a central theme in her professional profile.

• Laboratory and Clinical Affiliations:
• Principal Investigator, Basic Science Laboratory (UCSF)
• Associate Program Director, UCSF Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center
• Clinician, ICUs at Parnassus and Mount Zion