Contact Information

UCLA School of Medicine - Division of Digestive Diseases
Box 951792, VA Greater LA Healthcare System Bldg 115, Rm 203
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1792
On-campus mail: 179247
Tel: (310) 478-3711 x41876
Fax:(310) 268-4963
E-mail: hoyang@ucla.edu

Biosketch

Dr. Yang is a Research Physiologist in the Department of Medicine at UCLA and Principal Investigator of the Endo-Neurogastroenterology Laboratory at VA Great Los Angeles Health Care System. She obtained her M.D., Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Beijing Medical University (now merged to Beijing University) and works in UCLA Department of Medicine since 1987. Dr. Yang is a well-trained physiologist and neuroscientist with extensive experience in the basic research field of brain-gut interactions. Her Ph.D. mentor was Dr. C.C. Wang, a pioneer in studying pancreatic secretion in 1940s. She received postdoctoral training in Brain-Gut Interactions with Dr. Y.Taché. All of her 59 peer-reviewed original research papers and 12 reviews/book chapters relate to brain regulation of metabolism and GI functions, and the regulation of circulating metabolic signals on brain autonomic neurons. Dr. Yang contributes significantly to establishment of the actions of neuropeptides and transmitters in brain medullary-vagal regulatory pathways. Her independent research focuses on the medullary mechanism of autonomic disorders in metabolic diseases. She is the principal investigator of NIH and Department of Veterans Affairs funded grants for investigating the medullary mechanism of hypothyroidism-induced autonomic disorders. She also studies autonomic nerves mediated brain-pancreatic islet axis.

Selected References

Yang H and Taché Y. Caudal medullary raphe nuclei and vagal regulation of gastric function. In: Gastrointestinal Tract and Endocrine System, Singer MV, Ziegler R and Rohr G ed, Kluwer Academic Publishes, pp39-49, 1995.

Yang H. Central and peripheral regulation of gastric acid secretion by peptide YY. Peptides, 23: 349-358, 2002.

Yang H. Hypothyroidism and autonomic changes: role of medullary TRH. In: Brain-Gut Peptides in the New Millenium: A Tribute to John Walsh by His Collaborators. Taché Y ed. CURE Foundation, pp243-253, 2002

Yuan PQ and Yang H: Neuronal activation of brain vagal-regulatory pathways and upper gut enteric neurons by insulin hypoglycemia. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 283: E436-E448, 2002.