Dr. Yang Zhou: Physician at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
Dr. Yang Zhou, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Chief Physician of Nephrology at the Center for Kidney Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (NJMU). With extensive experience in clinical nephrology and translational research, she is a leading expert in diabetic kidney disease. Her dual role in academia and hospital practice enables her to integrate scientific research with patient care, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of nephrology in China.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Zhou completed her MD and PhD degrees in Nephrology at Nanjing Medical University in 2014, following a rigorous residency program she completed in 2012. Her doctoral training combined intensive clinical exposure with laboratory research, which prepared her for a career bridging both domains. This strong academic foundation has informed her approach to clinical decision-making, evidence-based treatment, and investigative inquiry into kidney diseases.
Research Focus
Dr. Zhou’s primary research interests revolve around the mechanisms, progression, and treatment of diabetic kidney disease. Her work seeks to identify molecular pathways involved in renal fibrosis, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. She is also involved in developing early diagnostic markers and novel therapeutic targets. Her research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Jiangsu Provincial Science Foundation, emphasizing the clinical relevance and innovation of her work.
Experience
Since 2012, Dr. Zhou has served in a series of progressive clinical and academic roles. She began as an Attending Physician at NJMU and was promoted to Associate Professor and Associate Chief Physician in 2018. In addition to treating patients, she leads clinical trials, supervises postgraduate students, and participates in hospital leadership and policy-making. Her combined academic and medical expertise positions her as a key figure in nephrology research and education in Jiangsu Province.
Research Timeline & Activities
Dr. Zhou’s research trajectory over the past decade highlights a consistent focus on chronic kidney disease, particularly in diabetic populations. From her early investigations into renal cell signaling to recent projects on therapeutic interventions, she has maintained a productive and evolving research portfolio. She frequently presents her findings at national and international nephrology conferences and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to translate lab findings into clinical practice.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Zhou’s excellence in medicine and research has been widely recognized. She was selected for the Jiangsu Provincial 333 High-Level Talent Cultivation Project and included in the prestigious Six Talent Peaks Program, both of which acknowledge her leadership in clinical research. She is also a recipient of the Jiangsu Provincial Youth Medical Talents Program and has received multiple Provincial Science and Technology Awards for her contributions to nephrology.
Top Recent Publication
Among her recent scholarly works, a notable publication appeared in Kidney International, where Dr. Zhou co-authored a study on the identification of novel biomarkers for early-stage diabetic nephropathy. This study, which employed both clinical cohort analysis and mechanistic exploration, offers new insights into early detection and risk stratification, potentially influencing clinical protocols for diabetic kidney disease management.
Clusters of Body Fat and Nutritional Parameters are Strongly Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Therapy, January 2024
DOI: 10.1007/s13300-023-01502-5
Explores the association between body fat distribution patterns and nutritional markers with diabetic kidney disease, providing evidence for metabolic phenotyping in DKD risk assessment.Loss of UCP2 Causes Mitochondrial Fragmentation by OMA1‐Dependent Proteolytic Processing of OPA1 in Podocytes
The FASEB Journal, November 2023
DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301055R
Investigates how UCP2 deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in podocytes through the OMA1–OPA1 pathway, contributing to kidney injury mechanisms.Pyruvate Kinase M2 Regulates Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Cell Death & Disease, October 2023
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06195-z
Highlights the role of PKM2 in maintaining mitochondrial balance during cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, with potential implications for AKI treatment.Urinary Metabolites Associate with the Presence of Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes and Mediate the Effect of Inflammation on Kidney Complication
Acta Diabetologica, May 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s00592-023-02094-z
Demonstrates how specific urinary metabolites are linked with DKD and how they mediate inflammatory pathways, suggesting potential for non-invasive biomarkers.SGLT2 Inhibitor Counteracts NLRP3 Inflammasome via Tubular Metabolite Itaconate in Fibrosis Kidney
The FASEB Journal, January 2022
DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100909RR
Shows how SGLT2 inhibitors exert anti-fibrotic effects in the kidney through modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the anti-inflammatory metabolite itaconate.Sirtuin 3 Regulates Mitochondrial Protein Acetylation and Metabolism in Tubular Epithelial Cells During Renal Fibrosis
Cell Death & Disease, September 2021
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04134-4
Explores how SIRT3 affects mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism during kidney fibrosis, providing a mechanistic basis for therapeutic targeting.CPT1α Maintains Phenotype of Tubules via Mitochondrial Respiration During Kidney Injury and Repair
Cell Death & Disease, August 2021
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04085-w
Investigates the protective role of CPT1α in tubular epithelial cells, linking mitochondrial respiration to kidney repair processes.