Xiaohe Yang

Dr. Xiaohe Yang serves as the Glaxo Professor in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he leads research at the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI). He also holds an associate membership at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. His position as a named professor indicates his significant standing within the university's academic structure.

Dr. Yang's educational background includes medical training from Luoyang Medical College, an M.S. in Pathophysiology from the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences in Beijing, China, a Ph.D. in Microbiology/Immunology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and postdoctoral training at Northwestern University. Prior to joining NCCU in 2011, he held an associate professor position in pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Yang's research program centers on breast cancer biology with multiple interconnected foci. His laboratory investigates deregulation of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling (particularly erbB2/EGFR, FGFR and c-Met) in breast cancer development and therapeutic resistance, examining crosstalk with Wnt and Notch pathways. He also studies alcohol-associated breast cancer risk mechanisms, dietary and metabolic modulation of cancer risk (including soy/genistein, caloric restriction and metformin), the impact of in utero exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA, and the role of mammary stem cells in cancer etiology. A significant portion of his work addresses triple-negative breast cancer and health disparities, particularly why African American women face higher breast cancer mortality rates.

Analysis of Dr. Yang's recent publications reveals a consistent progression from fundamental molecular mechanisms to translational applications. His work demonstrates increasing sophistication in modeling breast cancer through transgenic mouse systems while maintaining focus on clinically relevant questions about therapeutic resistance and prevention strategies. The research shows particular strength in connecting metabolic interventions with molecular signaling pathways in cancer.

• American Cancer Society research scholar
• Career Development Award from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program
• Three-time recipient of the AACR Minority-Serving Institute Faculty Scholar Award

Dr. Yang's research program has received substantial funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, American Cancer Society, and local agencies. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in developing strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance in breast cancer. As an editorial board member for several scientific journals, he contributes significantly to the scholarly community beyond his own research program.

Dr. Yang leads an active research laboratory within the JLC-BBRI at NCCU, utilizing various cellular and animal models to investigate breast cancer mechanisms. His collaborative work with UNC-Chapel Hill's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center enhances the translational impact of his research findings, connecting basic science with potential clinical applications.