Dr. Yu Wen Huang

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Dr. Y. Alvin Huang, serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University since July 2019, brings an extensive background in neurology and neuroscience research. He completed his M.D. specializing in neurology residency at National Taiwan University in Taipei, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, investigating gene regulation in the context of memory formation. Following his postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Huang made significant advances in stem cell technologies elucidating cellular mechanisms vital for brain function and health. His research currently centers on neuron-glial interactions in neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Angelman syndrome, supported by innovative modeling tools developed in his laboratory. Dr. Huang is a co-founder of Acre Therapeutics LLC, a startup that targets novel disease mechanisms associated with Alzheimer’s disease-related tauopathies, focusing on secretory autophagy pathways. His laboratory investigates how individual glial and neuronal cell types coordinate to shape cognition across neurodevelopment, brain aging, and neurodegeneration, using human stem cell–derived neural systems and advanced bioengineering platforms.

Research Interests

Awards

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Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

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Alzheimer’s Association Award for Excellence in Research

2016-01-01
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K99/R00 Pathway Independence Award

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Junior Researcher Award

2019-01-01
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OVPR Seed Awards

2021-01-01
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Stem Cells Aging Pilot Awards

2021-01-01
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Zimmerman Innovation Awards in Brain Science

2022-01-01
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Blackman Family Fund for Multiple Sclerosis

2023-01-01
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Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Award

2024-01-01
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Junior Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award

2024-01-01
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Brown Biomedical Innovations Impact (BBII) Pilot Award

2025-01-01
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Innovation Year Award

2025-01-01

Courses

BIOL 1540 - Molecular Genetics BIOL 2540 - Molecular Genetics

Requirements for Brown University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree in Economics or related field
Application Checklist
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE Scores
  • TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Department: Department of Economics