Yuan Yao

Dr. Yuan Yao is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Applied Science and the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine. She holds a B.Sc. from Dalian Maritime University, M.Sc. from Tianjin University, and Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto.

• B.Sc. - Dalian Maritime University
• M.Sc. - Tianjin University
• Ph.D. - University of Waterloo
• Postdoctoral Fellowship - University of Toronto

Her research focuses on biomaterial manufacturing and tissue engineering, particularly developing functional hydrogels as bioinks for 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue. Key projects include spatiotemporal control of micro-vessel regeneration, compliance mismatch studies in vascular grafts, and scaffold microenvironment engineering to modulate therapeutic cell behavior.

Recent publications highlight her work on fucoidan-functionalized hydrogels for cardiovascular applications, with a focus on endothelialization, hemocompatibility, and intimal hyperplasia prevention. Research trends show integration of nano/microfabrication techniques with biomimetic scaffold design.

Contact: yuan.yao@ubc.ca | Phone: (604) 827-2826