lab members

Dr. Yifan Wang

Principal Investigator

Dr. Yifan Wang received his D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree from Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China, and then obtained a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Parasitology at Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. In November 2015, Dr. Wang started his postdoctoral training with Dr. Jeroen Saeij at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). In September 2021, Dr. Wang became an Assistant Project Scientist in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at UC Davis. Dr. Wang began his independent career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School in January 2023.

Email: yifwan@med.umich.edu

Dr. Jiawen Fu

Postdoctoral Fellow (supported by Michigan Pioneer Fellows Program)

Jiawen received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology from Harbin Normal University, China. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in June 2023. Jiawen joined my lab as a postdoctoral fellow in October 2023. Her research focuses on understanding how Toxoplasma effector proteins modulate host innate immune signaling in macrophages and contribute to infection in different host species. In her spare time, Jiawen enjoys listening to music and appreciating the emotion and power it conveys.

Email: jiawenfu@med.umich.edu

Katura Metzner

Graduate Researcher

Katie graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan in 2023. She worked previously in the O'Meara lab at the University of Michigan and in the Selmecki lab at the University of Minnesota, studying fungal pathogenesis before deciding to join the Wang lab in 2025 to pursue her PhD. She is broadly interested in host-pathogen interactions and mechanisms of virulence in relation to Toxoplasma gondii. Outside of science, she enjoys baking, reading, and playing board games.

Email: kmetzner@umich.edu

Garrett Hill

Graduate Researcher

Garrett comes to the University of Michigan by way of Baltimore, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He joined the Wang Lab in the spring of 2025 to pursue his interest in understanding how cells defend themselves against microbial invaders— and how those microbes, in turn, subvert host defenses. Outside of the lab, Garrett enjoys visiting local museums, browsing vintage shops, and playing video games.

Email: garhill@umich.edu

Lily Weirich

Undergraduate Researcher

Lily is a senior studying Microbiology and Spanish on the pre-med track. Lily learned Spanish as part of an immersion program through my elementary school and, as a result, is a certified Bilingual Spanish speaker. Her goal for the future is to become a physician who works to improve health equity and who treats patients who speak both English and Spanish. Lily enjoys meeting new people and is very active and involved in the University community. She volunteers at the University hospital and is a part of the Spanish club, the pre-med club, and acts as a hall head for KGrams where she coordinates handoffs and writes letters to local elementary school children. Outside of University activities, Lily loves running, swimming, reading and being outdoors and have completed races ranging from a 5k to a marathon.

Email: lweirich@umich.edu

Ayan Kamdar

Undergraduate Researcher

Ayan Kamdar is a rising sophomore with an interest in understanding how hosts respond to the infection, particularly in how host cells recognize and defend against microbial invaders. On campus, Ayan enjoys connecting with new people and volunteers with Tell Your Story, a club dedicated to empowering refugees by improving reading fluency and comprehension. Outside of academics, she likes spending time outdoors, baking, and reading.

Email: kamayan@umich.edu

Maylee Witte

Undergraduate Researcher

Maylee is a senior studying Biology, Health, and Society at the University of Michigan. Her college experience exposed her to the world of microbiology and immunology, where she is exploring her professional passions. She is interested in the genetic mutations driving the mechanisms microorganisms use to evade host immunity, as well as in advancing vaccines and treatments designed to counter them. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, indoor and outdoor recreational rock climbing, and continuing her childhood obsession with Legos.

Email: mayleew@umich.edu