Yan Yan

Associate Professor Yan Yan is a leading researcher at University College Dublin's School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, where she currently holds the position of Associate Professor (since July 2024) after serving as Assistant Professor from 2018-2024. Her research program focuses on understanding nanoscale interactions with the immune system to develop novel immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases.

• PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Peking University, China
• Postdoctoral training at the University of Melbourne
• Science Foundation Ireland SIRG Fellow
• Marie Curie Fellow
• Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow

Professor Yan's research interests center on nanoscale shape biology and its applications in immunotherapy development. She has pioneered work on how nanoparticle architecture influences immune responses, particularly through the study of nanostructure shape effects on T cell receptor repertoires and histone modifications. Her interdisciplinary approach combines nanotechnology, immunology, and biointerface science to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Her laboratory investigates protein corona formation, nanoparticle translocation across biological barriers, and the development of shape-dependent immunomodulatory therapies.

Analysis of Professor Yan's publication record reveals a strong focus on systematic investigation of nanoscale shape effects on biological systems. Her work has evolved from fundamental studies of protein corona formation to more recent applications in immunotherapy development, with increasing emphasis on translation to clinical applications. Her research demonstrates consistent innovation in methodology, particularly in developing frameworks for systematic nanoscale shape discovery and evaluation.

• 1st Prize Interstellar Initiate at New York Academy of Sciences (2017)
• Starting Investigator Research Grant from SFI (2016)
• Australian Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research (2013)
• Discovery Early Career Research Award from ARC (2013)
• Reviewer Excellence Award (top 1% reviewers, 2017)

Professor Yan has successfully secured numerous research grants including HEA Covid-19 funding, the NANOSCAPE project, EXOTRAIN, and multiple UCD Equip Scheme awards. She supervises PhD students and coordinates modules including Biochemist's Toolkit, Bioprocessing, and Enzyme Technology & Protein Engineering. Her laboratory is part of the Conway Institute at University College Dublin, where she leads an interdisciplinary team working at the interface between nanostructures and the immune system.

Her research group maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines, focusing on translating nanoscale discoveries into therapeutic applications for cancer and infectious diseases.