Yuying Liang is a Professor at the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She received her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis, and utilizing this knowledge to develop novel preventative and treatment measures for viral diseases in humans and animals. Her current research projects involve two RNA viral pathogens, Lassa fever virus and influenza virus, the former causing highly virulent hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and the latter remaining a global threat to human and agricultural animal health. Studies from her laboratory have revealed novel mechanisms by which these viruses interact with host innate immune systems and cell signaling networks to promote viral replication and cause virulent infections in hosts. In addition, they utilize the knowledge and molecular tools of arenaviruses to develop a novel, safe, and effective viral vaccine platform, with which they will develop effective vaccines against various pathogens including diverse arenavirus pathogens and frequently evolving influenza viruses. Finally, her lab is interested in studying the roles of host factors and signaling pathways in influenza viral replication and disease pathogenesis in the lungs with the ultimate goal of developing novel antiviral therapeutics against influenza viral infection.