Feng Wang, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2018)
feng.wang2@emory.edu
I was born in Shandong province of China, the hometown of Confucius. I obtained my Ph.D. in Genetics from Nankai University in Tianjin in 2017. My graduate thesis focused on the molecular mechanisms of cross-talk between the hippo signaling pathway and other signaling pathways using Drosophila as a model system. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Yao Lab in the Department of Human Genetics. I am interested in understanding epigenetic regulation, such as various forms of DNA modifications, in mammalian brain development and brain disorders. I am also actively exploring the roles of circular RNA (circRNA), a widespread class of regulatory RNAs, in mammalian brain. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with friends.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2018)
feng.wang2@emory.edu
I was born in Shandong province of China, the hometown of Confucius. I obtained my Ph.D. in Genetics from Nankai University in Tianjin in 2017. My graduate thesis focused on the molecular mechanisms of cross-talk between the hippo signaling pathway and other signaling pathways using Drosophila as a model system. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Yao Lab in the Department of Human Genetics. I am interested in understanding epigenetic regulation, such as various forms of DNA modifications, in mammalian brain development and brain disorders. I am also actively exploring the roles of circular RNA (circRNA), a widespread class of regulatory RNAs, in mammalian brain. Outside of the lab, I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with friends.
Yangping Li, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2019)
yangping.li@emory.edu
I was born in Yuncheng, Shandong province of China and obtain my Ph.D. degree in Qingdao at Ocean University of China in 2019. During my Ph.D., I performed bioinformatic analysis on scallop to study epigenetic reprogramming during gametogenesis and embryogenesis. I joined Dr. Bing Yao’s lab as a postdoctoral fellow in September, 2019. I’m very interested in using big data and bioinformatic tools to better understand the mechanisms that contribute to mammalian brain development and functions. In addition, I enjoy using programming languages such as using Perl, R and Python to solve computational problems and analyze data. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and soccer, and I love comic dialog.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2019)
yangping.li@emory.edu
I was born in Yuncheng, Shandong province of China and obtain my Ph.D. degree in Qingdao at Ocean University of China in 2019. During my Ph.D., I performed bioinformatic analysis on scallop to study epigenetic reprogramming during gametogenesis and embryogenesis. I joined Dr. Bing Yao’s lab as a postdoctoral fellow in September, 2019. I’m very interested in using big data and bioinformatic tools to better understand the mechanisms that contribute to mammalian brain development and functions. In addition, I enjoy using programming languages such as using Perl, R and Python to solve computational problems and analyze data. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and soccer, and I love comic dialog.
Yingzi Hou, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2020)
Yingzi.hou@emory.edu
I was born in Guilin, one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. I received my Ph.D. from Peking University of China. During my PhD, I investigated the epigenetic mechanisms underlying adipocyte differentiation. In addition, I characterized functional microRNAs in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome. I joined Dr. Bing Yao’s lab as a postdoc in February 2020. I am excited to learn more about epigenetic mechanisms in brain development and brain disorders. I am also interested in studying the role of R-loops in the nervous system and associated diseases. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and playing puzzle games.
Postdoctoral Fellow (Joined the lab in 2020)
Yingzi.hou@emory.edu
I was born in Guilin, one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. I received my Ph.D. from Peking University of China. During my PhD, I investigated the epigenetic mechanisms underlying adipocyte differentiation. In addition, I characterized functional microRNAs in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome. I joined Dr. Bing Yao’s lab as a postdoc in February 2020. I am excited to learn more about epigenetic mechanisms in brain development and brain disorders. I am also interested in studying the role of R-loops in the nervous system and associated diseases. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching movies and playing puzzle games.
Paula Martinez-Feduchi, B.S.
Lead Research Specialist & Lab manager (Joined the lab in 2019)
pmart27@emory.edu
Originally from Barcelona, Spain, I moved to Atlanta for college. In May 2019, I graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Neuroscience. During my undergraduate, I performed research in 3 different labs where I was able to learn about different techniques and model organisms. I am excited to join the Yao lab and learn more about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in nervous system development and disease before pursuing further studies. Apart from science, I enjoy cooking, baking, and calligraphy.
Lead Research Specialist & Lab manager (Joined the lab in 2019)
pmart27@emory.edu
Originally from Barcelona, Spain, I moved to Atlanta for college. In May 2019, I graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Neuroscience. During my undergraduate, I performed research in 3 different labs where I was able to learn about different techniques and model organisms. I am excited to join the Yao lab and learn more about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in nervous system development and disease before pursuing further studies. Apart from science, I enjoy cooking, baking, and calligraphy.
Katherine Westover, B.S.
Genetics and Molecular Biology Graduate Student (Joined the lab in 2020)
katherine.rebekah.westover@emory.edu
I graduated from Elon University majoring in Biology and Classical Studies and minoring in Italian Studies. During my time at Elon, I was a researcher in an evolutionary biology lab. I then moved to Atlanta to start graduate school at Emory University. In the Yao lab, I will be working on multiple projects looking at epigenetic modifications on RNA such as circular RNAs and R-loops. When I’m not in the lab I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with my friends.
Genetics and Molecular Biology Graduate Student (Joined the lab in 2020)
katherine.rebekah.westover@emory.edu
I graduated from Elon University majoring in Biology and Classical Studies and minoring in Italian Studies. During my time at Elon, I was a researcher in an evolutionary biology lab. I then moved to Atlanta to start graduate school at Emory University. In the Yao lab, I will be working on multiple projects looking at epigenetic modifications on RNA such as circular RNAs and R-loops. When I’m not in the lab I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time with my friends.
Yilin Wang, B.S, M.S.
Research Specialist (Joined the lab in 2023)
yilin.wang@emory.edu
I was born in Qingdao, a city in eastern Shandong Province of China. After receiving my medical degree from Shandong University, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my master’s degree in public health at Emory University. During my time pursuing master’s degree, my research interests mainly focus on environmental metabolomics, the effect of exposure to pollutants on newborn metabolism and birth outcome. Currently, I am a research specialist in Yao Lab in the Department of Human Genetics and perform bioinformatic analysis. I am excited to use programming languages to help with my daily work. In my spare time, I like baking, hiking, and picking mushrooms in the forest.
Research Specialist (Joined the lab in 2023)
yilin.wang@emory.edu
I was born in Qingdao, a city in eastern Shandong Province of China. After receiving my medical degree from Shandong University, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my master’s degree in public health at Emory University. During my time pursuing master’s degree, my research interests mainly focus on environmental metabolomics, the effect of exposure to pollutants on newborn metabolism and birth outcome. Currently, I am a research specialist in Yao Lab in the Department of Human Genetics and perform bioinformatic analysis. I am excited to use programming languages to help with my daily work. In my spare time, I like baking, hiking, and picking mushrooms in the forest.
Rachel Seong
Emory Undergraduate Student (Joined the lab in 2021)
rachel.seong@emory.edu
I was born in State College, Pennsylvania, and spent most of my childhood in El Paso, Texas. I recently moved to the Atlanta area before starting high school, where I developed my interest in scientific research. I am currently an undergraduate student at Emory University pursuing the Pre-Dental track with a double major in Biology and Music Performance. During my time in the Yao lab, I hope to expand my skills and knowledge in research, and I look forward to learning more about epigenetic mechanisms and neurodegenerative disorders. Apart from my studies and the lab, I enjoy listening to music, drawing, and calligraphy.
Emory Undergraduate Student (Joined the lab in 2021)
rachel.seong@emory.edu
I was born in State College, Pennsylvania, and spent most of my childhood in El Paso, Texas. I recently moved to the Atlanta area before starting high school, where I developed my interest in scientific research. I am currently an undergraduate student at Emory University pursuing the Pre-Dental track with a double major in Biology and Music Performance. During my time in the Yao lab, I hope to expand my skills and knowledge in research, and I look forward to learning more about epigenetic mechanisms and neurodegenerative disorders. Apart from my studies and the lab, I enjoy listening to music, drawing, and calligraphy.
Lab Alumni
Emily Bruggeman, Ph.D. (Lab manager), Current position: Medical Writer
Janise Kuehner, Ph.D. (GMB graduate student), Current position: patent agent, Kilpatrick Townsend
Huifeng Shen (Lead Research Specialist), Current position: Research staff at Emory
Emory Undergraduate Students
Nevin Walia
Alice Hou
Emily Bruggeman, Ph.D. (Lab manager), Current position: Medical Writer
Janise Kuehner, Ph.D. (GMB graduate student), Current position: patent agent, Kilpatrick Townsend
Huifeng Shen (Lead Research Specialist), Current position: Research staff at Emory
Emory Undergraduate Students
Nevin Walia
Alice Hou