Yumin Zhang

Yumin Zhang MD, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. Her primary research focuses on endocannabinoid signaling modulation in neurological disorders.

Her educational background includes an M.D. from Binzhou Medical School in Shandong, China, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, and postdoctoral training in Neurology at Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Zhang's research centers on neuropharmacological interventions for traumatic brain injury, neuropathic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Her work investigates how endocannabinoid and eicosanoid pathways regulate neuroinflammation and neural repair. Key methodologies include in vivo disease models, microglial cell culture, RNA sequencing, and enzyme pharmacology targeting FAAH and ABHD6.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on cannabinoid receptor mechanisms and lipid mediator pathways across neurological conditions. Her group demonstrates particular expertise in developing enzyme inhibitors that modulate neuroimmune responses without classical cannabinoid side effects.

Her research group maintains active collaborations with military medical institutions through the Uniformed Services University. Current work emphasizes translating endocannabinoid modulation into therapies for combat-related neurological injuries and chronic pain conditions.