Dr. Hong Yu | Bacterial Infection | Best Researcher Award

Research Associate Professor at Medical University of South Carolina, United States

Dr. Hong Yu, M.D., is a distinguished Research Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), specializing in biomedical and community health sciences. With a solid foundation in pathology and translational research, Dr. Yu has contributed significantly to understanding inflammatory diseases, bone regeneration, and immune signaling in oral health. Her research has garnered major NIH funding and has been published in high-impact journals. As a dedicated academician, Dr. Yu mentors emerging scholars and plays an active role in editorial services, scientific societies, and university committees. Her leadership roles at MUSC, including Director and Co-Director of key lab facilities, underscore her commitment to advancing scientific infrastructure. Recognized for her collaborative spirit and scientific rigor, Dr. Yu continues to drive innovation in aging, oral immunology, and metabolic disease research, positively impacting both clinical and research communities.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Yu earned her M.D. degree from Beijing Medical University (1990–1994), followed by a pathology residency at the People’s Hospital of the same university (1990–1995). She further expanded her international exposure as an Ivu Wu Fellow at Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong (1998–1999). Her postdoctoral research trajectory in the United States included appointments at the Medical University of South Carolina in the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Pediatrics, and Oral Health Sciences (2000–2009). These formative years established her expertise in immunology, oral pathology, and translational biomedical research. With training spanning clinical practice and laboratory research, Dr. Yu possesses a rare combination of medical insight and bench-side innovation, enabling her to explore disease mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Work Experience

Dr. Yu’s career spans clinical, research, and academic leadership roles. Clinically, she served as a Resident and later an Attending Physician in Pathology at the People’s Hospital in Beijing (1990–2000). Transitioning to research, she held multiple postdoctoral positions at MUSC (2000–2009). She was appointed Research Assistant Professor (2011–2017) and subsequently Research Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Health Sciences (2017–2023). Since 2023, she has served as Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Community Health Sciences. Her administrative contributions include leading preclinical and laboratory cores within the Center for Oral Health Research. As an educator, she teaches dental biochemistry and mentors pre-doctoral and summer students. Her multifaceted experience showcases her versatility in medical science, mentoring, and institutional development.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Yu has earned multiple NIH grants, including prestigious R21 and R01 awards for studies on periodontitis, immune signaling, and aging. Her Principal Investigator roles reflect her leadership in advancing oral and systemic health. She received internal honors like the Center for Healthy Aging Pilot Grant and was trusted with co-investigator duties on high-budget collaborative research. She has been invited to serve on the Editorial Review Boards of journals such as Cells, Journal of Dentistry and Oral Biology, and others, recognizing her expert insights. She also actively serves as a peer reviewer for more than 15 top-tier journals including Scientific Reports and Journal of Dental Research. Her selection as a judge at several MUSC research events underscores her status as a thought leader in her field.

Research Focus

Dr. Yu’s research centers on immune signaling in oral and systemic inflammatory diseases, with emphasis on sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors, CD38 signaling, and bone metabolism. Her work dissects the complex molecular pathways influencing osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and cytokine regulation, especially in conditions like periodontitis, metabolic syndrome, and aging. Her studies integrate oral microbiology, lipid signaling, and immunopathology to develop novel therapeutic interventions for bone regeneration and chronic oral infections. Through animal models and molecular biology tools, she investigates how systemic conditions exacerbate oral diseases, laying the foundation for cross-disciplinary treatment strategies. As a co-investigator on siRNA delivery systems for oral cancer, her focus also extends to molecular therapy and nanocarrier systems. Dr. Yu’s translational science approach bridges basic science and clinical applications, improving outcomes in oral and systemic health.

Conclusion

Dr. Hong Yu is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her portfolio reflects the hallmarks of a top-tier scientist: sustained research productivity, leadership in biomedical science, mentorship, and service to the academic community. Her future-facing projects on immune responses in aging and chronic diseases showcase not only scientific excellence but also critical relevance to public health. Recognition through this award would not only honor her past contributions but encourage the continued evolution of her impactful research.

Publications to Noted

CD38 Inhibitor 78c Attenuates Pro‑Inflammatory Cytokine Expression and Osteoclastogenesis in Macrophages
Authors: William Lory; Nityananda Chowdhury, PhD; Bridgette Wellslager; Subramanya Pandruvada; Yan Huang; Özlem Yilmaz; Hong Yu
Journal: Cells
Year: 2024 (Nov)

GPR40/GPR120 Agonist GW9508 Improves Metabolic Syndrome‑Exacerbated Periodontitis in Mice
Authors: Yanchun Li; Hong Yu; Maria F. Lopes-Virella; Yan Huang
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2024 (Sep)

The Presence of Periodontitis Exacerbates Non‑Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Sphingolipid Metabolism‑Associated Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Inflammation in Mice with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Zhongyang Lu; Yanchun Li; Nityananda Chowdhury, PhD; Hong Yu; Wing-Kin Syn; Maria Lopes-Virella; Özlem Yilmaz; Yan Huang
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2023 (May)

Inhibition of Sphingosine‑1‑Phosphate Receptor 2 by JTE013 Enhanced Alveolar Bone Regeneration by Promoting Angiogenesis
Authors: William Lory; Bridgette Wellslager; Chao Sun; Özlem Yilmaz; Hong Yu
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2023 (Feb)

Inhibition of Sphingosine‑1‑Phosphate Receptor 2 by JTE013 Promoted Osteogenesis via Vesicle Trafficking, Wnt/Ca²⁺, and BMP/Smad Signaling
Authors: Simon Lin; Subramanya Pandruvada; Hong Yu
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2021 (Nov)

Targeting S1PRs as a Therapeutic Strategy for Inflammatory Bone Loss Diseases—Beyond Regulating S1P Signaling
Author: Hong Yu
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year: 2021 (Apr)

Sphingosine‑1‑Phosphate Receptor 2 Controls Podosome Components Induced by RANKL Affecting Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption
Authors: Li‑Chien Hsu; Sakamuri V. Reddy; Özlem Yilmaz; Hong Yu
Journal: Cells
Year: 2019 (Jan)

Hong Yu | Bacterial Infection | Best Researcher Award