Yousang Gwack

Dr. Yousang Gwack serves as Professor and Department Vice Chair in the Department of Physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles. With over two decades of research experience, his work has significantly advanced our understanding of calcium signaling in immune cells, particularly focusing on CRAC channels and their role in T cell function.

Dr. Gwack's research primarily centers on calcium signaling mechanisms in T lymphocytes, with special emphasis on CRAC channels (Orai1, STIM1, and CRACR2A). His laboratory investigates how calcium signaling regulates T cell differentiation, particularly Th17 cells, and its implications for autoimmune diseases, cancer immunology, and inflammatory disorders. His work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, exploring connections between immune function and conditions ranging from oral inflammation to cardiovascular disease.

Analysis of Dr. Gwack's recent publications (2021-2025) reveals several key trends: a continued focus on CRAC channel biology in immune cells, expanding research into the metabolic regulation of T cells, growing interest in the role of calcium signaling in cancer stemness and tumor immunity, and emerging work connecting calcium signaling pathways to viral immunity including SARS-CoV-2 response. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory from basic channel characterization toward translational applications in inflammatory diseases and cancer.

• NIH R21AI149236 (2020-2022): Principal Investigator for research on ORAI3 channels in effector T cell response
• NIH R01AI146615 (2020-2025): Principal Investigator for research on calcium signaling in local effector T cells
• NIH R56AI146615 (2019-2020): Principal Investigator for research on Orai1 trafficking
• NIH R03AI147063 (2019-2021): Principal Investigator for research on severe neutrophilic asthma models
• NIH R21DE028269 (2018-2021): Co-Principal Investigator for research on histone demethylase in oral inflammation

Dr. Gwack maintains an active research program with numerous collaborations across UCLA and with international partners. His laboratory has trained numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to establish independent research careers. Current work focuses on the intersection of calcium signaling, T cell metabolism, and immune-mediated diseases, with potential therapeutic applications for autoimmune conditions and cancer immunotherapy.