Yi E Zhang

Yi E Zhang is a Research Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Florida's College of Medicine. Her work focuses on age-related and diet-induced obesity mechanisms, particularly the role of leptin signaling in the central nervous system and reward pathways. She also investigates novel therapeutic strategies combining gene therapy and pharmacological interventions to combat obesity. Her research integrates molecular biology, neuroscience, and translational medicine to understand obesity pathophysiology and develop interventions.

Dr. Zhang earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Florida. She teaches courses such as Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics I and has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work emphasizing targeted protein degraders (PROTACs) in cancer therapy, particularly targeting BCL-XL and BCL-2 proteins.

Her research interests span obesity mechanisms, neuroendocrine regulation, leptin resistance, and PROTAC-based drug development. Key areas include melanocortin pathway modulation, midbrain reward circuitry, and preclinical models of dietary obesity. Current projects explore senolytic therapies and combination treatments for cancers like pancreatic and small-cell lung cancer.

Dr. Zhang's recent publications highlight advancements in targeted protein degradation for oncology, including dual BCL-XL/BCL-2 degraders and synergistic regimens for drug-resistant cancers. These studies aim to overcome treatment resistance while minimizing off-target effects, particularly in leukemia, CLL, and hepatocellular carcinoma models.

She is affiliated with the University of Florida's College of Medicine and conducts research in the VAMA facility (VAMA, RM E307B). Her work bridges basic science and clinical translation, addressing both metabolic disorders and cancer through innovative pharmacological approaches.