Education:
2004 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology Program Emory University, Atlanta, GA
2012 Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Clinical/Research Interests:
My research focuses on uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying age-related retinal degeneration, with particular emphasis on mTOR signaling, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Using a combination of genetic models, advanced imaging, and multi-omics approaches, I aim to elucidate disease pathways and identify potential therapeutic targets for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
My work has advanced the field’s understanding of how metabolic stress and aging compromise retinal health. Notably, I demonstrated that aberrant mTORC1 signaling contributes to RPE dysfunction, lipid accumulation, and the pathogenesis of AMD. These findings have been published in high-impact journals and supported by continuous NIH funding since 2010.
Beyond my independent research, I strongly value collaboration. I have actively contributed to the success of multiple NIH R01 grants by serving as a subcontract Principal Investigator or Co-investigator, supporting investigators both within and outside the vision science field.
In addition to research, I have served on a variety of committees at the departmental, institutional, and national levels. I have also played an active role in organizing symposia and research workshops, mentoring junior faculty and trainees, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. I served on the Annual Meeting Program Committee for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the largest international community of vision scientists. I take great pride in contributing to the scientific community and supporting the development of the next generation of vision researchers.
Funding:
2R01 EY026999, NIH/NEI
Aberrant RPE mTORC1 signaling in dysregulation of choroid homeostasis
Role: Principal Investigator. 08/2016-06/30/2026, 50% effort
1R01 ES031980-01, NIH/NIEHS
Cadmium-potentiated metabolic reprogramming in pathogenesis of lung fibrosis (PI: Go)
Role: Subcontract PI, 09/01/2021-08/30/2026, 10% Effort
1R01HD109784-01, NIH/NICHD
Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (PI; Chaaban)
Role: Co-Investigator, 04/01/2023 – 06/30/2028, 2% Effort
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1R01EY034510-01A1, NIH/NEI
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Dysregulation of PPARα in RPE degeneration (PI: Ma)
Role: Subcontract PI, 09/01/2023-08/30/2028, 10% Effort
P30 EY021725: NIH/NEI
Center Core Grant for Vision Research (PI: Callegan)
Role: Core director of Ocular Immunobiology module, 09/2021-08/2026
Select Publications:
- Usoltseva, A., Litwin, C., Lee, M., Hill, C., Cai, J., Chen, Y. (2024) Role of LIPIN 1 in regulating metabolic homeostasis in the retinal pigment epithelium. FASEB J 38: e70249.
- Chen, Y., Bounds, S. E., Karmoker, R. J., Liu, Y., Cai, J. (2023). Interleukin-17-Mediated Protective Cytokine Signaling Against Degeneration of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 120, e2311647120. PMID: 38085785
- Cai, J., Litwin C., Cheng R., Ma J., and Chen Y (2022). DARPP32, a target of hyperactive mTORC1 in the retinal pigment epithelium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 119, e2207489119. PMID: 35939707.
- Yu, B., Egbejimi, A., Dharmat, R., Xu, P., Zhao, Z. J., Long, B., Miao, H., Chen, R., Wensel, T. G., Cai, J., Chen, Y. (2018). Phagocytosed photoreceptor outer segments activate mTORC1 in the retinal pigment epithelium. Science signaling, 11(532). DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aag3315. PMID: 29844054.
- Chen Y, Cai J, Murphy TJ, Jones DP (2002). Overexpressed human mitochondrial thioredoxin confers resistance to oxidant-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells. J Biol Chem. 277(36):33242-
Link to full publication list:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/yan.chen.3/bibliography/40928368/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending