Yang Xie

My name is Yang Xie (谢旸). I develop new genomic tools to study gene regulation in complex tissues, with a focus on understanding how the epigenome encodes cellular identity and disease risk.

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the New York Genome Center, where I leverage experimental and machine learning approaches to capture cell-state dynamics in development and metabolic disorders. During my Ph.D. training with Dr. Bing Ren at the University of California San Diego, I invented high-throughput, multi-modal single-cell sequencing technologies to map epigenomic diversity in mammalian brains. My goal is to connect genetic variations with chromatin states, transcriptional output, cellular phenotype and patient symptoms, ultimately understanding how complex non-coding perturbations propagate and cause disease.

I grew up in Shantou, a coastal city in southern China famous for its vibrant food culture. I received my B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Fudan University in Shanghai. Before joining the Ren Lab, I trained with Dr. Clodagh O’Shea at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where I investigated chromosome folding using electron microscopy and live-cell imaging, an experience that sparked my fascination with 3D genome architecture.

Outside the lab, I enjoy music, coffee, mixology and small culinary experiments. My current favorites (respectively): Sakanaction, Steady State Roasting (Carlsbad), Dante (SoHo) and Yakiniku.