Dr. Wei Ying | University of California, San Diego | United States
Dr. Wei Ying is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). A leading scientist in immunometabolism, she has made pioneering contributions to the understanding of how immune cells, particularly macrophages, regulate metabolic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, and liver fibrosis. Dr. Ying’s research bridges immunology and endocrinology, uncovering novel intercellular signaling pathways mediated by exosomes and miRNAs. With over 67 peer-reviewed publications and 6,000+ citations, she is widely recognized for her impactful research. She serves as co-corresponding author on several high-impact papers in Cell Metabolism, Science Immunology, and Nature Communications. Dr. Ying’s innovative work continues to shape therapeutic strategies targeting immune-metabolic diseases. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she is a compelling nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her leadership, mentorship, and continuous scientific productivity mark her as a standout in biomedical research.
Publication Profiles:
Education:
Dr. Wei Ying earned her Ph.D. in Immunology and Endocrinology from Texas A&M University, under the mentorship of Drs. Fuller Bazer and Beiyan Zhou. During her Ph.D., she conducted breakthrough work on macrophage polarization and its effects on metabolic disorders, setting the foundation for her lifelong research focus. She received multiple academic honors during her doctoral studies, reflecting her scholarly excellence. Following her Ph.D., she pursued postdoctoral training at UC San Diego, mentored by the renowned Dr. Jerrold Olefsky. There, she expanded her expertise in diabetes and immunometabolism, focusing on novel signaling molecules like exosomal miRNAs in metabolic inflammation. Her educational path reflects a strong interdisciplinary background, integrating reproductive biology, immunology, and metabolic research. This robust academic training laid the groundwork for her current position as Associate Professor at UCSD, where she continues to lead cutting-edge research in metabolism and immune regulation.
Experience:
Dr. Ying’s research journey began as a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University, where she studied immune-endocrine interactions. As a postdoctoral fellow at UC San Diego, she made pivotal discoveries regarding the role of macrophage-derived exosomal miRNAs in regulating systemic insulin sensitivity. She served as Assistant Professor at UCSD, establishing a successful independent lab investigating immune-metabolic crosstalk. She was promoted to Associate Professor, a testament to her scientific leadership and research impact. Over the years, she has mentored numerous trainees, contributed to 67+ publications, and led collaborative projects with top-tier labs. Her work frequently appears in prestigious journals like Cell Metabolism, Science Immunology, Hepatology, and Nature Communications. Her expertise spans immunology, metabolism, liver disease, and diabetes, and she continues to advance therapeutic research through mechanistic insights into macrophage function and intercellular communication.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Wei Ying has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout her career. Early in her academic journey, she received the Larry Ewing Memorial Trainee Travel Fund and the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Reproductive Biology Trainee Travel Award, highlighting her academic promise. She earned second place at Texas A&M University Student Research Week, acknowledging her impactful Ph.D. research. Beyond early-career accolades, her ongoing research excellence is reflected in multiple invited publications in top-tier journals and co-authorship in high-impact collaborative projects. With a cumulative citation count of over 6,000 and rising, her work has earned wide recognition in the fields of immunometabolism and diabetes research. As a co-corresponding and co-first author on many significant papers, she plays a central role in shaping the current landscape of metabolic research. Dr. Ying’s accolades underscore her qualifications for the Best Researcher Award.
Research Focus:
Dr. Ying’s research lies at the nexus of immunology and metabolism, focusing on how immune cells, particularly macrophages, regulate metabolic inflammation, insulin resistance, liver fibrosis, and β-cell function. Her work has unveiled how exosomal microRNAs, bacterial DNA, and iron metabolism contribute to disease progression in obesity and diabetes. She employs multi-disciplinary approaches—ranging from transcriptomics and in vivo mouse models to high-resolution imaging and CRISPR editing—to explore the molecular underpinnings of metabolic disorders. Notably, her studies on macrophage-derived exosomes have opened up therapeutic possibilities for improving insulin sensitivity and combating systemic inflammation. Her ongoing investigations also include the role of Kupffer cells in liver health, microbial DNA in inflammation, and ATF4 in T-cell function, demonstrating a robust expansion of research scope. Dr. Ying’s research continues to drive translational innovations, making her an influential figure in metabolic disease research and a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publications Top Notes:
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ATF4 drives regulatory T cell functional specification in homeostasis and obesity – Science Immunology
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Host metabolic inflammation fueled by bacterial DNA – Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
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Restoring SRSF3 in Kupffer cells attenuates obesity-related insulin resistance – Hepatology
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Aberrant iron distribution via hepatocyte-stellate cell axis drives liver lipogenesis and fibrosis – Cell Metabolism
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Accumulation of microbial DNAs promotes islet inflammation and β cell abnormalities – Nature Communications
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Immunosuppression of macrophages underlies the cardioprotective effects of Catestatin – Hypertension
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miR-690 from M2 macrophages improves insulin sensitivity in obese mice – Cell Metabolism
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CRIg+ macrophages prevent microbial DNA-induced tissue inflammation and insulin resistance – Gastroenterology
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Hepatocyte exosomes promote insulin sensitivity via miR-3075 – Nature Metabolism
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Expansion of islet-resident macrophages affects β cell function in obesity – Cell Metabolism
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Dr. Wei Ying is not only a prolific and highly cited researcher but also a scientific leader whose work has significantly advanced the understanding of immune-metabolic interactions in chronic disease. Her contributions are original, mechanistically insightful, and have meaningful implications for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and liver fibrosis. Her demonstrated ability to lead high-impact studies, publish consistently in elite journals, and maintain academic excellence through mentoring and innovation makes her highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. While opportunities exist for expansion into clinical application and broader leadership roles, her trajectory strongly suggests continued excellence and influence in the years ahead. Dr. Ying exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier researcher and stands as a model for interdisciplinary biomedical science.