Clinical Applications of Nanotechnology and AI Integration

Catherine Yang, PhD, MD (h.c.)

Vice President of Academic Affairs & Research, Dean, College of Graduate Studies, and Professor of Molecular Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Catherine F. Yang earned her Master's and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Tufts University, followed by postdoctoral training in Molecular Pharmacology, Clinical Biochemistry, and Oncology at Harvard Medical School.

Currently, Dr. Yang is a Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Clinical Biochemistry in the Department of Basic Science at the College of Medicine and College of Graduate Studies at California Northstate University (CNU). Before joining CNU in 2016, she was a Professor of Biochemistry and Pharmacology at Rowan University, holding faculty appointments at its Cooper Medical School and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. She has also held research and faculty positions at Harvard Medical School, the American Health Foundation, Boston Biomedical Research Institute, Tokyo University of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Pennsylvania, Zhejiang University, and Zhejiang University of Technology.

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Dr. Yang specializes in medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology, and clinical biochemistry. Her research has significantly contributed to understanding tumor progression, developing novel cancer drugs, type 2 diabetes treatments, and allergy vaccines. She has led research teams investigating proteolytic regulatory mechanisms in advanced prostate cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. Her work on type 2 diabetes metabolic regulation resulted in a patented dual-function diabetes drug, while her immunological research contributed to an allergy vaccine currently in clinical trials.

Dr. Yang has published over 90 research papers and multiple biomedical science books. She holds 10 patents and has secured numerous grants from the NIH, NSF, Research Corporation, New Jersey Health Foundation, and various pharmaceutical industries and health foundations. Dr. Yang has been engaging in AI in Medine & Biomedical research and she is the member of National Science Foundation National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource special interest group. She also serves on review boards for federal, private, and health foundation funding agencies.

Xiaodong Feng, PharmD, PhD., MD (h.c.)

Dr. Feng is a distinguished academic leader, educator, and researcher renowned for his transformative contributions to pharmacy and medical education, biomedical innovation, and community health. As one of the founding architects of California Northstate University (CNU), he has played a pivotal role in shaping its growth from inception into a multi-disciplinary institution with Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine, Psychology, Dental Medicine, Health Sciences and PhD programs. His visionary leadership has earned accolades for advancing institutional excellence, interprofessional education, and public health initiatives.

Dr. Feng currently serves as Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Senior Vice President at CNU, where he oversees university operations, student services, admissions, and international programs. As a hands-on administrator and scholar, Dr. Feng holds multiple U.S. patents in cancer therapeutics and has edited and authored seminal textbooks on pharmacogenomics, biosimilars, and advanced pharmacology, lauded by Yale Medical School. His research leadership includes securing NIH grants, establishing CNU's first animal research facility, and advancing initiatives in drug discovery and pharmaceutical entrepreneurship.

Dr. Feng received his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. His integrated training and expertise in cancer education, along with his clinical practice experiences, community service activities, and skills in cancer research, positioned him to effectively deliver high quality patient care and biomedical/pharmaceutical education. He serves as a professor of oncology and pharmacology at the College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy and practiced as an oncology pharmacy specialist.

Brent Luu, PharmD, BCACP

Dr. Brent Luu is currently a Professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC Davis. He teaches the Pharmacology series courses across multiple programs including the Master of Health Sciences Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) Studies; the Master Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN); and the Doctorate Nurse Practitioner (DNP) degree programs. Dr. Luu earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University in 1995. He also earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 2000. Dr. Luu has co-authored multiple manuscripts and book chapters in various publications. He is also the lead editor of a pharmacology textbook, Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers, which was released in January 2021.

In addition, he has been a peer reviewer of various journals such as the JAAPA (Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants), JNP (Journal for Nurse Practitioners), the Annals of Internal Medicine, and the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Prior to teaching, Dr. Luu was a clinical pharmacist practitioner at various health system. Dr. Luu's focus is on patient care and medication safety. As an educator, he hopes to train students to stay abreast with new application of technologies to optimize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse drug events as well as improving patient and medication safety. His clinical interests include pain management, neurology, and chronic disease management.