Yanjin Zhang

Dr. Yanjin Zhang earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He completed postdoctoral training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on molecular virology, virus-cell interactions, and the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs for several viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis E virus (HEV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). His current projects aim to understand the mechanisms of viral replication in host cells, how viruses interfere with innate immunity—particularly interferon production and interferon-activated JAK-STAT signaling—and other aspects of virus-cell interactions. He is also working on developing vaccines and antiviral therapies.