The following is reprinted from the September 23 issue of the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Holden Highlights newsletter.

It’s been an exciting first year for Yi Huang, MD, PhD, who joined the University of Iowa’s Department of Internal Medicine—Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation—and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center as a new faculty member in 2023. Dr. Huang comes to Iowa with an impressive research background, having spent nearly two decades focused on understanding and treating breast cancer. After earning his MD in Nanjing, China, he pursued a PhD in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. This was followed by postdoctoral work at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center, where Dr. Huang delved into the complexities of breast cancer biology, particularly the aggressive triple-negative subtype.

“My research has always centered on finding better treatment strategies for breast cancer patients,” explains Dr. Huang. “The challenges of drug resistance and metastasis in this disease have driven me to explore new avenues, such as targeting epigenetic regulators like LSD1.” This passion for translational research has defined Dr. Huang’s career. At the University of Pittsburgh, Huang helped make strides in understanding how epigenetic changes can fuel breast cancer development and progression. Now, at Iowa, he is continuing this work, testing novel LSD1 inhibitors both as single agents and in combination with other therapies such as immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Huang has embraced his role as a mentor, guiding the work of postdocs, graduate students, and even high school researchers. “I enjoy the opportunity to train the next generation of cancer scientists,” they say. “Seeing my mentees succeed and pursue independent careers is incredibly rewarding.”

The University of Iowa community has also welcomed Dr. Huang with open arms. He describes Iowa City as a “quiet, convenient college town” that provides an ideal environment for both work and family life. Huang’s twin daughters have especially enjoyed the abundance of outdoor activities in the area. As Dr. Huang looks ahead to his second year at Iowa, he remains focused on advancing his research and building a diverse, collaborative team. “There’s still so much to discover when it comes to breast cancer research,” he says. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”