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Zhilong Yang

Zhilong Yang, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator
zhilongyang@tamu.edu

B.S., M.S., Nankai University
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Postdoc, National Institutes of Health

Associate Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (Joint)
Texas A&M University School of Medicine

Anil Pant, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate
panta@exchange.tamu.edu

Anil received his Ph.D. in Biology from Kansas State University in 2021 (Mentor: Zhilong Yang). After a year of training on immunometabolism with Dr. Kalyani Pyaram, Anil rejoined the Yang’s lab in 2022. His research focuses on poxvirus-host cell interactions at the metabolic interface. When not in the lab, Anil enjoys spending time with his family. Originally from Nepal, Anil loves traveling, meeting new people, eating, playing sports, and watching the English Premier League. 

Djamal

Djamal Brahim Belhouari, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate
dbelhaouari@cvm.tamu.edu

Djamal is a Veterinary Doctor with a strong passion for scientific research. He holds a Master’s and Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases from the University of Aix Marseille in France. In March 2022, he joined the Yang lab as a postdoctoral research associate, where he is currently pursuing his research on the poxvirus decapping enzymes. Using cutting-edge multi-omics, molecular, cellular, and genetic approaches, he is working to understand the complex mechanisms of actions of these viral proteins. In his free time, Djamal enjoys traveling to new destinations and experiencing diverse cultures.

Lara

Lara Dsouza, B.S.

Ph.D. Candidate
larad@tamu.edu

Joined the Yang lab in Spring 2020
Lara’s research interest includes studying how viruses alter host metabolism
Lara other interests are reading non-fiction and trying different cuisines. 

Santiago

Santiago Navarro Forrero, B.S.

Ph.D. Candidate
snavarrof@tamu.edu

Originally from Colombia, Santiago obtained his Bachelor’s in Biology in December 2020. He is a Ph.D. student in the BIMS program since January 2022. His work is focused on poxvirus host shutoff proteins and poxvirus vector engineering. In his free time, Santiago likes to go to nature, hike, cook, and spend good time with his family and friends.

Yining Deng, M.S.

Ph.D. Graduate Student
yiningdeng@tamu.edu

Yining received her Master’s in Veterinary Medicine in Summer 2023 and joined Yang lab in Fall 2023.
She is interested in the research related to poxvirus infection and host gene expression.
She loves nature and likes to hang out. Hiking and skiing are her favorite sports.

Ziyue Wang, B.S.

Ph.D. Graduate Student
wangziyue@tamu.edu

Ziyue obtained her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine in June 2024 and joined the Yang lab in Fall 2024. Ziyue’s research interest focuses on molecular mechanisms of poxvirus replication and antiviral drug development. She also likes painting, reading and playing Guqin in her free time.


Alumni (Last known position)

Postdocs

  • Shuai Cao (2014-2021) (Scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
  • Chen Peng (2016-2017) (Professor at China Agricultural University)

Graduate Students

  • Michelle Emmel, Rotation graduate student (2024)
  • Faithful Williams, M.S. (2021-2024)
  • Roman Lopez, Rotation graduate student (2024)
  • Joshua Molina, Ph.D. (2019- 2022) (Research Scientist at TAMU)
  • Candy Hernandez, M.S. (Non-thesis) (2019-2021) ( Physician Assistant Program at Kansas State University)
  • Dalton Dacus, Rotation Ph.D. (Rotation, 2017) (Scientist at Enliven Therapeutics)
  • Yanan Zhou, M.S. (2017-2018) (Scientist at Sigma-Aldrich)
  • Zhixun Zhao, Ph.D. (Visiting Student) (2016-2017) (Scientist at Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute)
  • Yongquan Lin, Ph.D. (Visiting Student) (2016-2017)  (Scientist at BGI Genomics)
  • Anil Pant, Ph.D. (2015-2021) (Postdoc at TAMU)
  • Julhasur M. Rahman, Ph.D. (Rotation, 2014) (Scientist at BioMarin)
  • Pragyesh Dhungel, Ph.D. (2014-2019) (Scientist at Nutcracker Therapeutics)

Undergraduate Students

  • Eric Park 2024
  • Ashlyn Parrott 2024
  • Blake Pope (2022-2023) (Graduate school)
  • Josh Spradlin (2019-2021) (UMKC School of Medicine)
  • Eric Cheng (2018-2020) (Graduate school)
  • Lake Winter (2019-2021)
  • Marlene Campos Guerrero (2016-2019) (Ph.D. student at Washington University in St. Louis)
  • Joshua May (2015-2017)
  • Ana Simental (2015-2016)
  • Alexander Roeder (2015-2016)
  • Dalton Dacus (2014-2016) (Ph.D. from Kansas State University, Scientist at Enliven Therapeutics)
  • Laura VanLerberg (2014-2016)
  • Canaan Coker (2014-2015) (M.D. student at University of Kansas School of Medicine)
  • Zachary Demars (2013-2014) (Ph.D. from KUMC, Program Manager at MRIGlobal)

Lab Scientists

  • Zhen Li (2013-2014)
  • Fernando Cantu (2017-2020) (Scientist at Moderna)
  • Mark Gray (2020-2021) (Scientist at Kansas State University)