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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Chemistry

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biochemistry

Education record