Zhi Qiang Yao

Zhi Qiang Yao, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine. He serves as Division Chief of the Research Division and Director of the Center of Excellence for HIV/AIDS at Quillen College of Medicine, as well as Director of the HIV and Hepatitis (HCV/HBV) Program at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. His roles include leadership in clinical care, research, and education in infectious diseases.

• Education: MD (1985) and PhD in Infectious Disease (1991) from Fourth Military Medical University, China.
• Fellowships: Hepatology (AASLD/Schering, 2001) and Infectious Diseases (ETSU, 2008).

Research focuses on T cell regulation, antiviral therapy, and viral infections (HIV/HBV/HCV). He leads NIH-, VA-, and DoD-funded studies investigating genetic factors influencing treatment responses and developing new antiviral agents. Author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles, he serves as a grant reviewer for NIH and VA programs.

• Awards: 2012 Dean’s Distinguished Research Award (Clinical Science) and President’s Distinguished Faculty Award (Research).

He previously held academic roles at Tangdu Hospital (China), the University of Virginia, and City of Hope National Medical Center. Active in professional societies including the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.