Dr. Isaac Yang is a Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UCLA. Dr. Yang earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA before completing residency and a postdoctoral fellowship in brain tumor molecular biology and immunotherapy at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
As a neurosurgeon, he specializes in the surgical treatment and clinical outcomes of adult brain and spinal cord tumors, with a focus on acoustic neuromas, skull-based tumors and brain motor and neurophysiologic mapping. As as a Principal Investigator at the UCLA Brain Tumor Program, his extensive research interests include optimizing brain tumor clinical outcomes, novel nanoparticles against brain tumors, and experimental glioblastoma therapies such as brain tumor vaccines. His research efforts into disease outcomes seek to maximize safe and effective treatments for patients with brain tumors.
Medical Student Research Fellow
Khashayar “Shayar” Mozaffari is our Medical Student Research Fellow. Shayar obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from University of California (UCSB) in 2016 and began medical school at The George Washington University in 2018. Following completion of his third year, Shayar is spending two dedicated research years in our laboratory to conduct clinical and translational research. During his free time, Shayar enjoys playing basketball and watching sports.
Lab Manager
Yelena Malkhasyan is the Yang Lab manager. She received her Neuroscience (B.S.) and Musicology (B.A.) degrees from UCLA in 2021. Yelena is passionate about neuroscience research and hopes to pursue a career as a physician. During her free time, Yelena enjoys playing the violin and reading books.
Postgraduate Researcher
Mahlet Mekonnen received her B.S. degrees in Neuroscience and Biochemistry from UCLA. As a postgraduate researcher in Dr. Yang's laboratory, she works in various clinical studies of neurological cases. In the future, Mahlet hopes to pursue a career in Medicine and Translational Research.
Medical Student Researcher
Othneil Noble Sparks is a second-year medical student at UCLA. He is from Plainsboro, New Jersey, and went to Rice University in Houston, Texas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. As a future medical provider, he enjoys research because of the vast amount of medical knowledge that remains to be discovered and translated into therapeutics to heal patients. During his free time, he loves to mentor, teach, cook, explore LA’s art and beautiful landscapes, or catch up with friends and colleagues
Medical Student Researcher
Ashley B. Zhang is a second-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Biochemistry the University of Toronto in Canada. She then went on to complete her Master of Science researching ALS at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Prior to medical school, she worked as a Study Coordinator in trigeminal neuralgia research. She is passionate about mentorship and medical education. In her free time, Ashley can be found exploring Philly’s food scene, hiking, doodling, and trying to teach her friends Canadian slang, eh.
Undergraduate Researcher
Anubhav Chandla is a second-year undergraduate student studying neuroscience. As part of Yang Lab, he is passionate about furthering his knowledge about newly-developing neurosurgical treatments through clinical research. After graduation, he hopes to go to medical school and pursue a career as a physician-scientist. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, performing as a musician, and spending time with friends.
Undergraduate Researcher
Ariana Chow is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a major in Cognitive Science and a Specialization in Computing. Outside of the Yang Lab, Ariana works as a Registered Behavior Technician and volunteers with the Surgery Group of LA and Cedars Sinai Emergency Department. Her passions lie in cognitive development, ethical theory, and healthcare policy. In her free time, Ariana enjoys crocheting, audiobooks, cooking, and tennis.
Undergraduate Researcher
Natalie Mahgerefteh is a third-year Neuroscience major at UCLA. Outside of the Yang Lab, she is involved in neuroscience and global health-related clubs and volunteering organizations. She is from Huntington Beach, CA, and enjoys reading, listening to music, and traveling.
Undergraduate Researcher
Shivam is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Physiological Science and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Outside of the Yang Lab, Shivam is a Research Coordinator for the Emergency Medicine Research Associates program at UCLA's Emergency Department. He also volunteers with the oncology department at West LA Kaiser and the local Boy Scout Troop as an Adult Leader. Shivam is interested in the intersection of business and medicine. In his free time, Shivam enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and lifting.
Collaborator
Dr. Madhuri Wadehra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UCLA and a member of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. She holds a joint appointment as a Research Associate Professor within the Division of Cancer Research and Training at Charles Drew University. Dr. Wadehra has almost 15 years of experience in tumor biology, cell biology, and immunology, and is a leading expert on EMP2 biology. Currently, the focus of Dr. Wadehra’s research invovles i) understanding the physiological function of a tetraspan protein epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) family of proteins, and ii) investigating the role of EMP2 in cancer.
Over the last five years, Drs. Wadehra and Yang have collaborated extensively on understanding EMP2 expression in brain tumors, and together have published 5 papers, with 2 additional in preparation.
Collaborator
Dr. Quinton S. Gopen is an Associate Professor of Clinical Head & Neck Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. As an otolaryngologist, he specializes in the pediatric and adult ear and skull base conditions. Dr. Gopen earned his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine before completing residency in Otolaryngology at UCLA School Medicine and a postdoctoral fellowship in Neurology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center.
The collaborative research efforts of Drs. Gopen and Yang focus on Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD).
