Skip to main content

Shan Yan

Shan Yan, PhD, is a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member whose research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of genome integrity and cancer etiology.

PhD
Professor, Biological Sciences
UNC-Charlotte
Cancer Genetics

Area of Interest

Research in the Yan Lab is focused on the molecular mechanisms of genome integrity and cancer etiology. Using biochemical, biophysical, molecular and cell biology approaches, our laboratory is interested in wide range of research topics in maintaining genomic stability, including DNA damage and repair, DNA damage response (DDR) signaling pathways, and translesion synthesis (TLS), DNA replication stress and oxidative stress, and biomolecular condensates (liquid-liquid phase separation, LLPS).

Ultimately, our research program will help to better understand how cells maintain genome integrity and to provide novel clues for detection and treatment of human diseases such as cancer. Xenopus egg extracts and mammalian cell lines will be used as model systems to investigate fundamental biomedical questions with cutting-edge technologies and translational potentials.

Current research projects in the Yan Lab include but not limited to:

  1. DNA single/double-strand break repair and signaling
  2. Oxidative stress response and redox regulation
  3. DNA replication stress response and genome stability
  4. Biomolecular condensates (liquid-liquid phase separation) in DNA repair and DDR (
  5. Cancer etiology and therapeutics

Find publications on PubMed

Awards and Honors

  • The Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS) Education Award, 2023
  • Outstanding Data Science Faculty Research Award, School of Data Science, UNC Charlotte, 2022
  • Board of Directors, the Federation of American Society For Experimental Biology (FASEB), 2021-2023
  • Chair of the Publication Policy Committee, Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS), 2022-2024
  • Faculty Member in Cell Biology, Faculty Opinions, 2021
  • The Schley R. Lyons Tenured Faculty Reassignment of Duties Award, CLAS, UNC Charlotte, 2021
  • Finalist, The Outstanding Award for the Integration of Undergraduate Teaching and Research, CLAS, UNC Charlotte, 2018
  • Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA), NIH/NIGMS, 2012 & 2015
  • International Travel Grant, Office of International Programs & CLAS, UNC Charlotte, 2013
  • Wachovia Foundation Fund for Faculty Excellence Award, Charlotte Research Institute, 2010
Headshot of Shan Yan.