Yumei Feng, associate professor in the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology and Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and co-director of the Integrative Neuroscience Graduate Program, has been named the 2019 Research and Innovation Leadership Fellow.

Developed and supported by Research & Innovation, the Fellowship presents the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the administration of a research enterprise; interact with University leadership, faculty and stakeholders at the local, state, national and international levels; and participate in the development of relevant policies and procedures. It is a semester-long, 20 percent assignment, and Feng’s 2019 Fellowship began Jan. 1, 2019.

Feng earned her doctoral degree at the Chongqing University of Medical Science and her medical degree at the Zhejiang Medical University. She worked as a practicing physician for five years, specializing in internal medicine, before pursing her Ph.D. and her biomedical research to explore the neural mechanisms of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases including diabetes and obesity.

“During the past 18 years as a biomedical researcher, I have appreciated the professional research opportunities that have come my way, and shared the joy of success and discoveries with my research team and colleagues,” Feng said. “Now, as an NIH/R01-funded tenured associate professor, I have begun to think about how I can best inspire and help others pursue research excellence, and thus make an impact beyond my own research program.”

The Research and Innovation Leadership Fellows are encouraged to identify and take on a project related to the University's research and innovation mission. Working under the mentorship of Vice President for Research and Innovation Mridul Gautam, Feng will develop a project around opportunities to further develop collaborative clinical and translational research.