The Yang lab's major focus is to elucidate biological functions of cytoskeletal associated proteins in neurons and to define the cellular and molecular basis for how these proteins contribute to the structure and function of neurons.

The ultimate goal of Dr. Yang Hu's laboratory is to develop efficient therapeutic strategies to achieve CNS neural repair, through promoting neuroprotection, axon regeneration and functional recovery.

Specifically, they are using state-of-the-art tools and creating novel tools to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and optic nerve in various optic neuropathies including traumatic, glaucomatous and inflammatory optic nerve injuries, to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of CNS neurodegeneration and axon regeneration failure.

Dr. Yair Blumenfeld is a Professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His clinical focus is management of high-risk pregnancies in the outpatient and inpatient settings, including comprehensive prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. He serves as the fetal therapy domain lead for the Dunlevie Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center for Discovery, Innovation and Clinical Impact, as well as the Director of Fetal Therapy at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

The goal of Dr. Wang's research is to understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling mitochondrial dynamics and function and the mechanisms by which even subtle perturbations of these processes may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders.