Professor | Nantong University | China
Dr. Wenjuan Yao is a distinguished researcher and faculty member at Nantong University, China, widely recognized for her impactful contributions to pharmacology, toxicology, and neurodegenerative disease research. She holds a strong academic foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, further strengthened through extensive training in molecular pharmacology and biomedical research. Dr. Yao’s work centers on elucidating cellular and mitochondrial mechanisms underlying chronic diseases, with particular expertise in neuroinflammation, vascular remodeling, metabolic dysfunction, and natural product pharmacology. She has authored 39 peer-reviewed publications, which have collectively garnered over 856 citations from 747 citing documents, reflecting her growing international influence and an h-index of 19. Her recent publications include notable studies on astrocytic glycolytic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease models, the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of ginkgolic acids, and the role of AKAP1 in vascular smooth muscle cell modulation, showcasing her ability to bridge molecular insights with therapeutic potential. Dr. Yao has collaborated with more than 100 co-authors, demonstrating her active participation in multidisciplinary research networks spanning neurology, pharmacotherapy, traditional medicine, and cellular biology. Her work significantly advances scientific understanding of mitochondrial dynamics, secondary plant metabolites, and disease-modifying interventions, contributing to improved translational strategies for complex disorders. Dr. Yao has been recognized through institutional and scholarly acknowledgments for her research excellence and continues to contribute to the scientific community through editorial and peer-review roles in leading journals across biomedicine and pharmacology. Her research not only deepens mechanistic knowledge but also supports the development of safer, more effective therapeutic agents, underscoring her commitment to advancing global health and biomedical innovation.
Featured Publications
1. Shao, Y., Chen, Y., Zhu, Q., Yi, L., Ma, Y., Zang, X., & Yao, W. (2025). The pharmacology and toxicology of ginkgolic acids: Secondary metabolites from Ginkgo biloba. American Journal of Chinese Medicine.
2. Shao, Y., Yi, L., Zhu, Q., Zhou, Y., Chen, T., & Yao, W. (2025). Ginkgolic acid inhibits VSMC proliferation and migration and vascular restenosis by regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeleton rearrangement through TCTN1. Cells.
3. Sun, J., Shao, Y., Pei, L., Zhu, Q., Yu, X., & Yao, W. (2024). AKAP1 alleviates VSMC phenotypic modulation and neointima formation by inhibiting Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.
4. Sun, J., Zhu, Q., Yu, X., Liang, X., Guan, H., Zhao, H., & Yao, W. (2023). RhoGDI3 at the trans-Golgi network participates in NLRP3 inflammasome activation, VSMC phenotypic modulation, and neointima formation. Atherosclerosis.
5. Liang, X., Sun, J., Guan, H., Zhu, Q., & Yao, W. (2022). Angiotensin II inhibits adipogenic differentiation and promotes mature adipocyte browning through the corepressor CtBP1. Biomedicines.