by Hannah Buckelew
Yajing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, professor and director of basic and translational research, has been appointed as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME). Wang is stepping into the role following predecessor Gangjian “GQ” Qin, M.D.
As the Vice Chair of Research, Wang will lead the internal grant proposal review committee, award committee and junior faculty mentoring committee. She will maintain and monitor research compliance, data integrity and lab safety and will ensure core labs meet departmental needs. Wang will promote internal, national and international scientific collaborations and organize meetings. She will advise both faculty and trainees on improving federal funding proposals and will assist in developing a strategic plan to strengthen research within the department.
“I embark on this new role as Vice Chair of Research committed to empowering innovation, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful advancements,” Wang says.
Wang joined UAB in July 2022 from Thomas University’s (TJU) Department of Emergency Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she served as director of basic and translational research and associate professor. Wang earned both her medical degree and master’s of science from the Shanxi Medical University in Taiyuan, China in 1999 and 2003, respectively, before earning a Ph.D. from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School in Shanghai in 2006. She completed postdoctoral training in TJU’s cardiovascular program in 2010 and served as instructor before joining faculty as assistant professor.
Wang’s research aims to examine the inter-organ communication between the cardiovascular system and fat in the process of cardiomyopathy. Her other research interests include the characterization of pathophysiological mechanisms that epigenetic elements facilitate in heart failure.
Since joining UAB’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wang served as a key organizer for the Great Wall International Cardiology Conference (GW-ICC) in Beijing. She serves on several committees in the department, including BME’s graduate biomedical sciences Ph.D., awards, visibility, promotion and development committees.
“Dr. Wang’s extensive research experience has been an invaluable addition to our department,” says Biomedical Engineering Chair Jianyi “Jay” Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. “I have no doubt she will be an excellent Vice Chair of Research in support of our mission to further research efforts.”