Zhenhua Yang

Dr. Zhenhua Yang serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where she has maintained a tenured teaching position for over two decades. Her expertise spans infectious disease epidemiology and global health with a concentrated focus on tuberculosis research, TB-HIV coinfection dynamics, and novel vaccine development. She actively teaches interdisciplinary courses including Vaccine in Public Health (EPID513/PUBHLTH413) and Hospital Epidemiology I (EPID680), integrating molecular biology with population-level public health practice.

Her educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Copenhagen University (1995)
• Fellowship in Genetics of Microorganisms at University of Lausanne (1992)
• Certificate of French Language from Beijing Language Institute (1991)
• Fellowship in Vaccinology at Staten Serum Institute, Copenhagen (1982-1984)
• MD from North Sichuan Medical College (1981)

Dr. Yang's research program demonstrates exceptional breadth across tuberculosis science, investigating molecular pathogenesis through population epidemiology. Her work examines genetic diversity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strains, develops innovative vaccine approaches using machine learning reverse vaccinology, and analyzes global TB/HIV coinfection patterns. Current projects address critical gaps in understanding diabetes-TB interactions, pediatric treatment outcomes in Zimbabwe, and TB incidence disparities in Arkansas. Her interdisciplinary methodology bridges laboratory science with real-world public health applications, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward computational biology integration in TB research, with machine learning applications for antigen discovery and structural protein analysis complementing traditional epidemiological studies. This dual approach spans molecular mechanisms (gene mutations, protein variability) and population trends (treatment completion rates, geographic disparities), demonstrating consistent focus on vaccine development while expanding into diabetes-TB comorbidity research. Her global fieldwork in Zimbabwe and Arkansas provides critical data for evidence-based TB control strategies.

With extensive experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate public health students, Dr. Yang has shaped curricula emphasizing practical applications of epidemiologic principles in healthcare settings and antibiotic stewardship. Her research team actively investigates TB transmission dynamics, vaccine potential of M. tuberculosis antigens, and clinical implications of genetic diversity, maintaining strong international collaborations. Current laboratory work focuses on molecular characterization of clinical strains to inform next-generation vaccine design while analyzing ecological trends in TB-HIV dual epidemics across WHO regions.