Meiyan Wang, Ph.D.

  • Assistant Professor, Neurobiology
MeiyanWang@mednet.ucla.edu
Research Areas
Publications
UCLA scientist Meiyan Wang smiles for a headshot.

Meiyan Wang, Ph.D., investigates how glial cells contribute to human brain development, function and disease. She seeks to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and neural repair, which could lay the foundation for new therapies for neurological disorders.

Wang's research integrates stem cell biology, neuroscience and human disease modeling. She focuses on the relationships between glial cells and neurons, examining how these interactions support brain function and how their disruption contributes to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. Her long-term goal is to identify ways to harness glial function for neuroprotection and neural repair.

She has developed advanced human brain organoid and transplantation models that support glial cell differentiation and maturation, providing a foundation for studying human glial biology and its roles in disease. Her broader work in stem cell-based disease modeling has also advanced understanding of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. 

  • Understanding how glial cells develop and interact with neurons to support brain function
  • Investigating how changes in glial function contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders
  • Developing advanced human brain organoid and transplantation models to study brain development, disease and repair
  • Identifying mechanisms and strategies to harness glial cells for neuroprotection and neural repair