Yanjin Zhang

Dr. Yanjin Zhang serves as an Associate Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on molecular virology of RNA viruses including PRRSV, HEV, and Zika virus, with particular expertise in virus-host interactions and innate immune evasion mechanisms.

Research Interests: Dr. Zhang investigates viral pathogenesis and mechanisms of viral interference with host innate immunity, especially interferon induction and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. His laboratory discovered that PRRSV inhibits STAT1/2/3 signaling and that HEV ORF1 blocks interferon induction while ORF3 activates RIG-I signaling. Current projects center on vaccine development against PRRSV using a novel interferon-inducing strain that enhances neutralizing antibody responses.

Publication Trends: Analysis of 12 recent publications (2009-2023) reveals consistent focus on viral antagonism of host defense systems. Key themes include viral protein-induced degradation of host factors (e.g., KPNA2 by Zika NS2A), disruption of interferon signaling cascades, and karyopherin-mediated nuclear transport mechanisms. Primary subfields span neurovirology (Zika), porcine virology (PRRSV), and zoonotic hepatitis (HEV).

Laboratory: Dr. Zhang directs a research team investigating molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions with direct applications in antiviral therapeutic and vaccine development against economically significant viral pathogens.