Faculty and Staff Profiles

• Ph.D Biology - University of South Dakota - 2015
• B.S. Biology - University of Electronic Science and Technology of China - 2009

• Assistant Professor, School of Health Studies - University of Memphis - 2018-present
• Glenn Foundation Fellow,   - Buck Institute for Research on Aging - 2017-2018
• Postdoctoral Fellow , Department of Biological Science - Auburn University - 2015-2017

• Glenn Foundation Postdoc Fellow - Glenn Foundation for Medical Research - 2017-2018
• Best Presentation - UAB Center for Exercise Medicine 4th Annual Symposium - 2016
• APS Travel Award for APS Intersociety Meeting - American Physiological Society - 2014
• BP Travel Award for SICB Annual Meeting - Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology - 2013
• Graduate Student Research and Creative Activity Grant - University of South Dakota - 2012
• NAOC Travel Award - North America Ornithological Congress - 2012

• Introdution of Exercise & Nutrient Metabolism - University of Memphis
• HMSE-7010 Research Method - University of Memphis
• NUTR-3002 Advanced Human Metabolism - University of Memphis
• NUTR -412 Cellular Metabolism I - University of Memphis

• PhD - Amir Hosein Sanjari Nia - 2026
• MS - chidimma Okegbe - 2023
• MS - Joshua Yoseph Shirazi - 2023
• MS - Thomas Lackie - 2022
• MS - Elina Thomas - 2020

• IOS IEP Collaborative Proposal: Costs and Trade-offs of Phenotypically Flexible Responses to Winter Temperature Variability in Birds - National Science Foundation - $1,246,325 total ($391,858 to Zhang Lab) - 2023-2026
• National Science Foundation Collaborative Research: Collaborative Research: Rule of Life: Understanding therules of honest signaling - National Science Foundation - $1,439,904 total ($504,545 to Zhang Lab) - 2021-2024

• University of Memphis - Graduate curriculum/research committee - 2019- present

• Ramanathan, C., Thomas, E., Henschen, A.E., Adelman, J.S. and Zhang, Y. (2024). Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection inhibits mitochondrial respiratory function in a wild songbird. bioRxiv, pp.2024-08.

• Koch, R.E., Truong, C.N., Reeb, H.R., Joski, B.H., Hill, G.E., Zhang, Y., Toomey, M.B. (2024). Multiple pathways to red carotenoid coloration: House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) do not use CYP2J19 to produce red plumage. bioRxiv

• Koch, R. E., Okegbe, C. *, Ramanathan, C., Zhu, X., Hare, E., Toomey, M. B., Hill, G.E., and Zhang, Y. (2024) Captivity affects mitochondrial aerobic respiration and carotenoid metabolism in the house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)." Journal of Experimental Biology (2024): jeb-246980.

• Bloomer, R.J., Zhang, Y., Shirazi, J.Y., Okegbe, C., Pence, J., Martin, K., Q. Timmcke, J. and LeBaron, T.W. (2023). Alpha Hope, via Molecular Hydrogen and Pyrroloquinoline Quinone, Dose-Dependently Increases Nrf2 and PGC-1a Levels in C2C12 Myoblasts. Processes, 11(7), 2011.
• Wong, H. S., Freeman, D. A., and Zhang, Y. (2022). Not just a cousin of the naked mole-rat: Damaraland mole-rats offer unique insights into biomedicine. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 110772.
• Yap, K.N., Wong, H.S., Ramanathan, C., Rodriguez-Wagner, C.A., Roberts, M.D., Freeman, D.A., Buffenstein, R. and Zhang, Y. (2022). Naked mole-rat and Damaraland mole-rat exhibit lower respiration in mitochondria, cellular and organismal levels. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Bioenergetics, p.148582.
• Swanson, D. L., Zhang, Y., and Jimenez, A. G. (2022). Skeletal muscle and metabolic flexibility in response to changing energy demands in wild birds. Frontiers in Physiology, 13
• Finger Jr, J.W., Kelley, M.D., Hamilton, M.T., Zhang, Y., Elsey, R.M., Mendonca, M.T. and Kavazis, A.N. (2022). Changes in antioxidant enzyme levels following capture in juvenile American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are tissue dependent. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 100(7), pp.428-435.
• Pence, B., Zhang, Y., Antwi, I., and Cory, T. J. (2022). Senescent macrophages alter fibroblast fibrogenesis in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
• Ramanathan, C., Lackie, T., Williams, D. H., Simone, P. S., Zhang, Y., and Bloomer, R. J. (2022). Oral Administration of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Increases Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Level in an Animal Brain. Nutrients, 14(2), 300.
• Yap, K.N. and Zhang, Y. 2021. Revisiting the question of nucleated versus enucleated erythrocytes in birds and mammals. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 321(4), R547-R557
• Zhang, Y., Yap, K., David, K., and Swanson, DL. 2021. The high-energy aerial insectivore lifestyle of swallows does not produce clear thermogenic side effects? In press in Ornithology
• Zhang, Y., and Wong, H-S. 2021. Are mitochondria the main contributor of reactive oxygen species in cells? In press in Journal of Experimental Biology
• Finger, J. W., Kelley, M. D. , Zhang, Y., Hamilton, M. T., Elsey, R.M., Mendonca, M., and Kavazis, A. N., 2020. Relationships of Brain Glucocorticoid Receptors and Commonly Used Stress Parameters with Body Condition of Juvenile American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). South American Journal of Herpetology
• Zhang, Y., Hill, G.E., Ge, Z., Park, N.R., Taylor, H.A., Andreasen, V.,Tardy, L., Kavazis, A.N., Bonneaud, C., and Hood, W.R., 2020. Effects of a bacterial infection on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in a songbird. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 94(2), 71-82.
• Swanson, D. L., Agin, T. J. *, Zhang, Y., Oboikovitz, P., and DuBay, S., 2020. Metabolic flexibility in response to within-season temperature variability in house sparrows. Integrative Organismal Biology. 2(1), obaa039.
• Finger, J. W., Kelley, M. D. , Zhang, Y., Hamilton, M. T., Elsey, R.M., Mendonca, M., and Kavazis, A. N., 2020. Antioxidant enzymes in destructible and non-destructible tissues in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). South American Journal of Herpetolog
• Hill, G.E., Hood, W.R., Ge, Z., Grinter, R., Greening, C., Johnson, J.D., Park, N.R., Taylor, H.A., Andreasen, V.A., Powers, M.J. and Justyn, N.M., 2019. Plumage redness signals mitochondrial function in the house finch. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 286(1911), p.20191354.
• Swanson, D.L., King, M.O., Culver, W. and Zhang, Y., 2019. Within-winter flexibility in muscle and heart lipid transport and catabolism in passerine birds. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 189(3-4), pp.451-462.
• Hood, W.R., Zhang, Y., Taylor, H.A., Park, N.R., Beatty, A.E., Weaver, R.J., Yap, K.N. and Kavazis, A.N., 2019. Prior reproduction alters how mitochondria respond to an oxidative event. Journal of Experimental Biology, 222(12), p.jeb195545.
• Parry, H.A., Mobley, C.B., Mumford, P.W., Romero, M.A., Haun, C.T., Zhang, Y., Roberson, P.A., Zempleni, J., Ferrando, A.A., Vechetti Jr, I.J. and McCarthy, J.J., 2019. Bovine Milk Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) Modification Elicits Skeletal Muscle Growth in Rats. Frontiers in Physiology, 10.
• Parry, H.A., Kephart, W.C., Mumford, P.W., Romero, M.A., Mobley, C.B., Zhang, Y., Roberts, M.D. and Kavazis, A.N., 2018. Ketogenic diet increases mitochondria volume in the liver and skeletal muscle without altering oxidative stress markers in rats. Heliyon, 4(11), p.e00975.
• Hyatt, H.W., Zhang, Y., Hood, W.R. and Kavazis, A.N., 2018. Physiological, mitochondrial, and oxidative stress differences in the presence or absence of lactation in rats. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 16(1), p.2.
• Hood, W.R., Zhang, Y., Mowry, A.V., Hyatt, H.W. and Kavazis, A.N., 2018. Life history trade-offs within the context of mitochondrial hormesis. Integrative and comparative biology, 58(3), pp.567-577.
• Finger, J.W., Hamilton, M.T., Kelley, M.D., Zhang, Y., Kavazis, A.N., Glenn, T.C. and Tuberville, T.D., 2018. Dietary Selenomethionine Administration and Its Effects on the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis): Oxidative Status and Corticosterone Levels. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 75(1), pp.37-44.
• Zhang, Y., Yap, K.N., Williams, T.D. and Swanson, D.L., 2018. Experimental increases in foraging costs affect pectoralis muscle mass and myostatin expression in female, but not male, zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 91(3), pp.849-858.
• Koch, R.E., Kavazis, A.N., Hasselquist, D., Hood, W.R., Zhang, Y., Toomey, M.B. and Hill, G.E., 2018. No evidence that carotenoid pigments boost either immune or antioxidant defenses in a songbird. Nature communications, 9(1), p.491.
• Hyatt, H.W., Zhang, Y., Hood, W.R. and Kavazis, A.N., 2018. Changes in Metabolism, Mitochondrial Function, and Oxidative Stress Between Female Rats Under Nonreproductive and 3 Reproductive Conditions. Reproductive Sciences, p.1933719118766264.
• Zhang, Y., Brasher, A.L., Park, N.R., Taylor, H.A., Kavazis, A.N. and Hood, W.R., 2018. High activity before breeding improves reproductive performance by enhancing mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Journal of Experimental Biology, pp.jeb-177469.
• Hyatt, H.W., Zhang, Y., Hood, W.R. and Kavazis, A.N., 2017. Lactation has persistent effects on a mother’s metabolism and mitochondrial function. Scientific reports, 7(1), p.17118.
• Finger, J.W., Botero, J., Zhang, Y., Still, S.E., Hoffman, A.J., Kavazis, A.N., Cristol, D.A. and Wada, H., 2017. No Effect of Lifelong Methylmercury Exposure on Oxidative Status in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata): A Demonstration of Methylmercury-Induced Selection?. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology, 99(6), pp.668-672.
• Zhang, Y., Humes, F., Almond, G., Kavazis, A.N. and Hood, W.R., 2017. A mitohormetic response to pro-oxidant exposure in the house mouse. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 314(1), pp.R122-R134.
• Kephart, W.C., Mumford, P.W., Mao, X., Romero, M.A., Hyatt, H.W., Zhang, Y., Mobley, C.B., Quindry, J.C., Young, K.C., Beck, D.T. and Martin, J.S., 2017. The 1-week and 8-month effects of a ketogenic diet or ketone salt supplementation on multi-organ markers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in rats. Nutrients, 9(9), p.1019.
• Zhang, Y., Kallenberg, C., Hyatt, H.W., Kavazis, A.N. and Hood, W.R., 2017. Change in the lipid transport capacity of the liver and blood during reproduction in rats. Frontiers in physiology, 8, p.517.
• Zhang, Y., Eyster, K. and Swanson, D.L., 2017. Context-dependent regulation of pectoralis myostatin and lipid transporters by temperature and photoperiod in dark-eyed juncos. Current zoology, 64(1), pp.23-31.
• Swanson, D.L., King, M.O., Culver III, W. and Zhang, Y., 2017. Within-Winter flexibility in muscle masses, myostatin, and cellular aerobic metabolic intensity in passerine birds. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 90(2), pp.210-222.
• Zhang, Y. and Hood, W.R., 2016. Current versus future reproduction and longevity: a re-evaluation of predictions and mechanisms. Journal of Experimental Biology, 219(20), pp.3177-3189.
• Zhang, Y., Carter, T., Eyster, K. and Swanson, D.L., 2015. Acute cold and exercise training upregulate similar aspects of fatty acid transport and catabolism in house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Journal of Experimental Biology, pp.jeb-126128.
• Zhang, Y., King, M.O., Harmon, E., Eyster, K. and Swanson, D.L., 2015. Migration-induced variation of fatty acid transporters and cellular metabolic intensity in passerine birds. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 185(7), pp.797-810.
• Zhang, Y., King, M.O., Harmon, E. and Swanson, D.L., 2015. Summer-to-winter phenotypic flexibility of fatty acid transport and catabolism in skeletal muscle and heart of small birds. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 88(5), pp.535-549.
• Zhang, Y., Eyster, K., Liu, J.S. and Swanson, D.L., 2015. Cross-training in birds: cold and exercise training produce similar changes in maximal metabolic output, muscle masses and myostatin expression in house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Journal of Experimental Biology, pp.jeb-121822.
• King, M.O., Zhang, Y., Carter, T., Johnson, J., Harmon, E. and Swanson, D.L., 2015. Phenotypic flexibility of skeletal muscle and heart masses and expression of myostatin and tolloid-like proteinases in migrating passerine birds. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 185(3), pp.333-342.
• Zhang, Y., 2015. Patterns and mechanisms of phenotypic flexibility associated with flight exercise and shivering in small birds (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Dakota).
• Swanson, D., Zhang, Y. and King, M., 2014. Mechanistic drivers of flexibility in summit metabolic rates of small birds. PloS one, 9(7), p.e101577.
• Swanson, D., Zhang, Y., Liu, J.S., Merkord, C.L. and King, M.O., 2014. Relative roles of temperature and photoperiod as drivers of metabolic flexibility in dark-eyed juncos. Journal of Experimental Biology, 217(6), pp.866-875.
• Swanson, D.L., Zhang, Y. and King, M.O., 2013. Individual variation in thermogenic capacity is correlated with flight muscle size but not cellular metabolic capacity in American goldfinches (Spinus tristis). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 86(4), pp.421-431.

• Koch, R; Hill, G; Zhang, Y; Toomey, M. (2023 January). House finches use an alternate pathway for red carotenoid pigmentation. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Ramanathan, C; Akbar, A; Okegbe, C; Koch, R; Powers, M; Hare, E; Hill, G; Toomey, M; Zhang, Y. (2023 January). Establishing in vitro systems to study vertebrate ketocarotenoid metabolism. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y; Henschen, A; Thomas, E; Adelman, J. (2023 January). Effects of acute and long-term mycoplasma gallisepticum infection on mitochondrial function in house finch. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Yap, KN; Yamada, KY; Harris, NR; Mesquita, PHC; Zhang, Y; Naderi, A; Soltanmohammadi, E; Kavazis, AN; Roberts, MD; Kiaris, H; Hood, WR. (2022 January). Effects of chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress on bioenergetic capacities and exercise performance in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Yap, KN; Wong, HS; Ramanathan, C; Rodriguez-Wagner, CA; Freeman, DA; Zhang, Y. (2021 January). Rate of living theory re-visited: mitochondrial, cellular, and whole-organism metabolism in Siberian hamster and the long-lived Damaraland mole rat. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Yap, KN; Yamada, KYH; Zikeli, SL; Zhang, Y; Zhang, Y; Kavazis, AN; Gladden, LB; Roberts, MD; Kiaris, H; Hood, WR. (2021 January). Individual variation in cellular unfolded protein response, respiratory capacity, and stress tolerance in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y; Yap, KN; David, KT; Swanson, DL. (2021 January). Does the high-energy aerial insectivore lifestyle of swallows produce thermogenic side effects? Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Yap, KN; Zhang, Y. (2021 January). Revisiting the question of nucleated versus enucleated erythrocytes: A bird mammal comparison. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., and Wong, H. (2020 January) Are mitochondria the major source of reactive oxygen species production? No. Presented at Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., Hill, G.E., Ge, Z., Park, N., Taylor, H., Andreasen, V., Kavazis, A.N., Bonneaud, C. and Hood, W.R., (2019 January) Effects of Mycoplasma gallisepticum on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in house finch. Presented at Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual meeting.
• Swanson, DL; Zhang, Y; Oboikovitz, P; Agin, TJ. (2018 January). Seasonal flexibility of metabolism-temperature reaction norms in cold-acclimated house sparrows: A test of the climatic variability hypothesis. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Taylor, HA; Zhang, Y; Kash, M; Kavazis, AN; Roberts, M; Hood, WR. (2018 January). Response of Hepatocytes to ROS Exposure: Temporal Variation in Oxidative Stress Response Signaling Pathways. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Hood, WR; Zhang, Y; Mowry, AV; Hyatt, HW; Kavazis, AN. (2018 January). Re-evaluating life history trade-offs within the context of mitochondrial hormesis. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y; Taylor, H; Kash, M; Kavazis, AN; Roberts, MD; Hood, WR. (2018 January). Induced ROS exposure improves mitochondrial performance in hepatocytes. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Park, NP; Zhang, Y; Hood, WR; Kavazis, AN. (2018 January). Oxidative DNA Damage and Repair in response to induced ROS exposure in Mice. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y; Humes, F; Brasher, A; Kallenberg, C; Kavazis, A; Hood, W. (2017 April). The mitohormetic response and an evaluation of a method for inducing oxidative damage. Presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting.
• Hyatt, HW; Zhang, Y; Hood, WR; Kavazis, AN. (2017 April). Alterations of Mitochondrial Function and Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle, Liver, and White Adipose: Early Evidence for the Lactation Reset Hypothesis. Presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting
• Brasher, AL; Zhang, Y; Kavazis, AN; Hood, WR. (2017 January). Does relative activity prior to breeding improve mitochondrial function and oxidative damage following a reproductive event? Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting
• Zhang, Y; Humes, F; Brasher, A; Kallenberg, C; Kavazis, A; Hood, W. (2017 January). The mitohormetic response and an evaluation of a method for inducing oxidative damage. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting
• Hood, WR; Zhang, Y. (2017 January). Understanding the bioenergetic mechanisms that underlie the interactions among life history traits. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting
• Hood, WR; Zhang, Y. (2017 January). Understanding the bioenergetic mechanisms that underlie the interactions among life history traits. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting
• Kallenberg, MK; Zhang, Y; Hyatt, HW; Kavazis, AN; Hood, WR. (2017 January). Reproductive effects on lipid transport capacity in liver and blood in rats. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting
• Hood, W., Zhang, Y. (2016, June). A re-evaluation of the predictions and mechanisms that underlie the interactions between current reproduction, future reproduction, and survival. Presented at the Evolution meeting, Austin, TX.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2014, October). Cold and exercise training effect on maximal metabolic output and muscle growth in house sparrows. Presented at the American Physiological Society Intersociety Meeting: Comparative Approaches to Grand Challenges in Physiology.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2014, January). Cold and exercise training produce similar increases in maximal metabolic output in house sparrows. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2013, August). Effects of cold and exercise training on metabolism of birds. Presented at the American Ornithologists' Union/Cooper Ornithological Society Joint Meeting.
• Swanson, D., Zhang, Y., King, M. (2013, August). Temperature, photoperiod and metabolic flexibility in juncos. Presented at the American Ornithologists' Union/Cooper Ornithological Society Joint Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., King, M., Swanson, D. (2013, January). Thermogenic capacity is correlated with flight muscle size but not cellular aerobic capacity in American goldfinches, Spinus tristis. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2012, August). Metabolic rates in swallows: do energetically expensive lifestyles affect metabolic capacities in birds? Presented at the Fifth North American Ornithological Conference.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2012, January). Does the energetically expensive lifestyle of swallows affect thermogenic capacity? Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meetings.
• King, M. O., Zhang, Y., Tordsen, T., Swanson, D. (2012, January). Seasonal phenotypic flexibility of muscle aerobic enzyme activities in small birds. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2011, March). Metabolic rates in swallows: Do energetically expensive lifestyles affect metabolic capacities in birds? Presented at the American Ornithologists' Union/Cooper Ornithological Society Joint Meeting