Derek Yang Email & Phone Number

Sunnyvale, Ca, Us

• Part of an interdisciplinary, multi-institution collaboration dedicated to the discovery and optimization of highly potent CD4 mimetic compounds (CD4mc) used as entry inhibitors of HIV. o Directed the organic synthesis team through a structure activity relationship (SAR) study that yielded multiple lead compounds. Oversaw the scale up synthesis of decagram quantities of lead compounds, ensuring the efficient delivery of key intermediates for biological assays. Fostered strategic collaborations with nearly a dozen groups to exchange hypothesis and align on project directions. o Performed virtual screening and computational docking to determine binding modes and affinities, accurately predicting critical residues for ligand binding. Leveraged computational insights alongside biological assays and structural data to develop a novel series of CD4mc analogs, resulting in a new lead compound that had a 20-fold increase in potency compared to previous iterations. This achievement culminated in a patent and publication in PNAS.• Spearheaded a novel research initiative targeting small molecule entry inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, orchestrating the design and execution of a diverse library of nearly 100 compounds. Directed a multidisciplinary team, including biochemists, structural biologist, and computational chemists to explore binding interactions and optimize lead compounds. o Took the program from the screening stage through hit-validation, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization phases resulting in a publication, a patent, as well as another manuscript in preparation.• Utilized structure-based design strategies to develop a novel series of compounds targeting filoviruses such as Ebola. Created a synthetic scheme and synthesized a small library of compounds resulting in a hit that showed efficacy in binding to Ebola virus.

• Served as a teaching assistant for both undergraduate and graduate-level organic chemistry courses, providing valuable support in laboratory sessions and lectures.• Developed comprehensive lesson plans and supplementary materials to enhance students’ understanding and retention of lecture content.• As head TA, I assumed a leadership role in Organic Chemistry II and designed lecture material, wrote exams, and implemented new teaching methodologies in lectures to promote effective learning outcomes.• Highly rated by students as a TA which earned me a TA commendation award (2021) and the Penn prize for Excellence in Teaching (2023), and the Dean’s Prize for Distinguished Teaching by Graduate Students (2024).

• Played a pivotal role in bridging classroom learning with public engagement and community building by serving as a teaching assistant where I taught students about the program’s foundational pillars and guided them in integrating these principles into their regular coursework.• Served as a mentor to undergraduate fellows and provided personalized guidance in their capstone papers and final projects.• Organized the program’s inaugural poster session for 20 graduating fellows which involved designing templates for presentations, coordinating logistics, reviewing and curating student submissions, and overseeing the execution of the event

Santa Barbara, California

• Formulated and designed experiments that investigated the usage of ortho-Quinone Methides in the enantioselective construction of benzoxazine rings and their application to natural product synthesis.o Expanded the scope of our methodology to include carbodiimides and oxazoline derivatives.o Determined the reactivity and selectivity of the reaction of imines, and o-QM in a three-component assembly of benzoxazines that resulted in an Organic Letters publication.

Santa Barbara, California

-Tutored over 40 students per quarter, utilizing various teaching techniques to facilitate understanding of general and organic chemistry concepts.-Developed lesson plans to ensure that all students followed the material, created worksheets, dozens of practice midterms, and a novel bank of around a thousand practice problems to aid students in understanding core organic concepts.-Courses Taught: General Chemistry I (F18,W19), General Chemistry II (S19), Organic Chemistry I (F19), Organic Chemistry II (W20), Organic Chemistry III (S20).

Santa Barbara, California Area

-Responsible for a floor of 80 undergraduates and worked toward cultivating a supportive, inclusive, and thriving environment that enabled a diverse student population to develop meaningful interpersonal connections.-Organized and executed dynamic programming and events that served as a platform for personal growth and exploration.-Facilitated learning and understanding of different intersectional identities and fostered inclusion through organizing speaker series featuring the Food Bank, Women’s Center, Multicultural Center, and EOP.-Assisted with front desk coverage, completed administrative duties, and responded to emergency medical situations by providing after-hours-on-call-support.-Served as a leader for first year resident assistants by providing guidance, support, and knowledge about the job and its duties.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Chemistry

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry

Education record