Zhen Yan

Zhen Yan is a Professor at the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise at Virginia Tech and Director of the Center for Exercise Medicine Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of exercise in preventing cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. He holds a PhD in Physiology & Cell Biology and has held academic roles at institutions like the University of Virginia and Duke University.

Education:

• PhD, Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (1995)
• M.S., Exercise Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991)
• B.S. (M.D.), Medicine, Medical Worker’s College of Jiangsu Province (1986)

Research Interests: Zhen Yan’s work explores how exercise mitigates chronic diseases through molecular mechanisms such as mitophagy, mitochondrial quality control, and epigenetic regulation. His research employs cutting-edge techniques in animal models to study exercise-induced adaptations. Key areas include exercise’s role in Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure, and metabolic disorders.

Awards:

• Novo Nordisk Foundation Jacobaeus Prize (2022)
• University of Virginia Distinguished Researcher Award (2022)
• MilliPub Club Induction (2018)

Advising & Grants: Dr. Yan has secured grants from organizations like the NIH and the American Heart Association. His research is supported by funding for projects on exercise-induced mitophagy and mitochondrial healthspan extensions. He collaborates internationally, including with institutions in China and Denmark.

Labs & Teams: He directs the Center for Exercise Medicine Research, which integrates interdisciplinary approaches to study exercise’s therapeutic potential. His lab focuses on translational research bridging basic science and clinical applications.