Yun Wang

Yun Wang

Assistant Professor

Technological Institute, Room A330
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-3109

E-mail address: yun-wang@northwestern.edu
Phone: 847-491-7232
Fax: 847-491-4011

Education

• Postdoctoral Scholar, MIT/HHMI & Caltech/HHMI: Molecular Geobiology
• Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University: Aquatic Chemistry
• M.S., Nankai University
• B.S., Nankai University

Research

Our research is at the interface of the medical/environmental microbiology and geochemistry.  We apply an interdisciplinary approach to studying the link between reactions of bioactive small molecules (e.g., antibiotics) with environmental constituents and their mode of action on microbial biofilm architecture and physiology.  Current research directions include:

• Investigating the roles of redox-active “antibiotics” (phenazine- and quinone-based molecules) in iron acquisition and microbial physiology. 
• Optimizing small molecule-facilitated electron transfer in biofilm processes, with emphasis on improving bioenergy generation and bioremediation efficiency.
• Determining the fate and transformation of (bio)molecules and environmental pollutants at mineral-water interfaces.
• Developing imaging techniques for studying (bio)molecules and organic pollutants in vivo and in situ.

These studies will not only help us predict the chemical and biological impact of bioactive molecules in natural aqueous environments but also highlight strategies for manipulating clinical and environmental biofilms.

Honors and Awards

• 2009-2012 Louis Berger Junior Chair Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• 2009-2010 Searle Junior Teaching Fellow, Northwestern University

Selected Publications

• Wang, Y,; Wilks, J. C.; Romas, I.; Danhorn, T; Croal, L. R.; Newman, D.K (2009) Redox-active phenazine "antibiotics" promote bacterial biofilm development via ferrous iron acquisition. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., in review
• Wang, Y.; Kern, S. E.; Newman, D. K (2009) Endogenous phenazine "antibiotics" promote anaerobic survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa via extracellular electron transfer. J. Bacteriol., in press.
• Wang, Y.; Newman, D. K. (2008) Redox reactions of phenazine antibiotics with ferric (hydr)oxides and molecular oxygen.  Environ. Sci. Technol., 42: 2380-2386.
• Wang, Y.; Stone, A. T. (2008) Phosphonate- and carboxylate-based chelating agents that solubilize (hydr)oxide-bound Mn^III. Environ. Sci. Technol., 42: 4397-4403.
• Wang, Y.; Stone, A. T. (2006) Reaction of Mn^III,IV (hydr)oxides with oxalic acid, glyoxylic acid, phosphonoformic acid, and structurally-related organic compounds. Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 70: 4477-4490.
• Wang, Y.; Stone, A. T. (2006) The citric acid-Mn^III,IVO2(birnessite) reaction.  Electron transfer, complex formation, and autocatalytic feedback.  Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 70: 4463-4476.

Available Positions

We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral and Ph.D. candidates to conduct research at the interface of the medical/environmental microbiology and geochemistry.  Postdoctoral applicants with a strong research background in molecular biology, microbial (esp. biofilm) physiology, or redox chemistry are preferred.  Please send a letter of application, including names and addresses of three references, and CV to Yun Wang's email address. Ph.D. applicants with a background in chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering, or bioengineering are all encouraged to apply, and should follow the graduate school guideline for application. 
Undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in the lab are also welcome to join our group.