Yi Lan Weng, PhD
Assistant Professor, Scientist
Yi Lan Weng received his PhD in neuroscience at Case Western Reserve University where he focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms of axon targeting and regeneration. During his postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University, Weng developed a series of innovative next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches and experimental methods to elucidate roles of DNA and RNA epigenetics in determining regenerative capacity. He has broad interests in the epitranscriptomic regulation of neuronal function and diseases. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family
Yating Cheng, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2020-Present
Yating Cheng, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in toxicology at Texas A&M University. Her doctoral work was focused on studying the function of long non-coding RNAs in cancer and the role of microbiota metabolites and dietary components on gut health via AhR signaling. She did her first postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center studying the tumor microenvironment. She joined the Weng lab in 2020 and is currently investigating how environmental toxicants affect the epigenomics/epitranscriptomics landscape in different types of cells in the brain, including neuron, astrocyte, and microglia cells. In her spare time, she likes learning new languages. She can speak Mandarin, English, and German and wants to learn more such as Spanish. Her favorite TV series is “Doctor Who” and she enjoys online shopping and collecting vintage jewelry.
Shuang Li, M.S.
Graduate Research Fellow, 2020-Present
Shuang Li is an graduate research fellow in the Weng Lab. Her graduated major is in clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China. Previously, she has a bachelor’s degree and finished her master’s degree in pharmacy at the same institution in China. Her master thesis focuses on identifying different biomarkers in order to predict clinical outcomes for diffuse glioma. Currently, she is interested in studying the subunits of the m6A modifying complex and profiling chromosome accessibility changes in different cell stages. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activity, fishing, and playing Mahjong with her friends.
Hangjin Yu, M.S.
Research Assistant II, 2020-Present
Hangjin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Wuhan University in China. In 2015, she continued her education at the Texas A&M University and graduated with a master’s degree in Biotechnology. After graduated, she has worked in several labs focusing on, ranging from wheat breeding at Texas A&M AgriLife to peritoneal malignancies in a surgery-oncology lab at Houston Methodist Research Institute. After joining Weng lab, she focuses on molecular and cell work and assists in the research investigating the m6A modifying complex subunits and its relations to neuronal function and diseases. Hangjin’s hobbies include running, hiking and going to all kinds of concerts.
FORMER LAB MEMBERS
Amanda Pastrano – Summer Intern, from Texas A&M University (Summer, 2021)
Boranai Tychhon – Research Assistant (Dec 2018 – May 2021)
Currently a medical student at Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso
Wenjuan Ru, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow (Apr 2019 – Jan 2020)
Currently a data scientist in Seattle WA
Wahibah Hannan – Summer Intern, from Texas A&M University (Summer, 2019)
Currently a medical student at Texas A&M University Health science Center