Guang Yao's Biography

Guang Yao, Assistant Professor, Molecular/Cellular Biology, University of Arizona

Dr. Yao has focused his work and training at studying gene regulatory networks using integrated systems biology approaches. He received his Ph.D. in cancer biology from UW-Madison. As a postdoctoral fellow at Duke working with Drs. Joe Nevins and Lingchong You, Dr. Yao coupled single-cell experiments with mathematical modeling and demonstrated the first natural bistable system in mammalian cells, the Rb-E2F bistable switch that controls the cell cycle entry at the restriction point. After establishing his research laboratory at the University of Arizona, Dr. Yao has developed a series of single-cell experimental systems, coupled with dynamic and statistical modeling, to study control mechanisms underlying mammalian cell fate decisions, particularly, the delicate balance between cell proliferation, quiescence, and death.