William H. Yong, M.D.

Director, Brain Tissue Translational Resource | BTTR

Chief, Neuropathology

Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Member, Brain Research Institute

JCCC Signal Transduction and Therapeutics Program Area

Biography

Dr. Yong obtained a bachelors degree in molecular biology at UC Berkeley and a masters degree in biology (cellular and molecular) at San Francisco State University. For the masters degree, he studied the AIDS retrovirus while in the laboratory of Professor Jay Levy at UCSF. He attended medical school at UCLA where he completed his Honors thesis research with Professor Harry Vinters and graduated as a Deans Scholar. He trained in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where he worked in the molecular neuro-oncology laboratory of Dr. David Louis. For his work there, Dr. Yong was awarded the American Association of Neuropathologists Lucien J. Rubinstein Award in Neuro-oncology. He completed his neuropathology fellowship at UCLA.

Subsequently, he was the Director of Neuropathology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for eight years before returning to the UCLA Medical Center. He is currently Chief of Neuropathology, Director of the UCLA Brain Tumor Translational Resource and Director of the UCLA Neuropathology Fellowship Program. He is a recipient of a Golden Apple Award for teaching and the Johnny Mercer Foundation Research Award for Brain Cancer among others. Dr. Yong is Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and serves on editorial boards and grant review panels. He teaches UCLA medical and dental students as well as residents and fellows in pathology, neuropathology, neurosurgery, and neurology. He is an adviser and mentor for junior faculty. As an attending neuropathologist at the UCLA Medical Center, his clinical expertise includes brain and pituitary tumors as well as neuromuscular pathology. He provide international telepathology consultations for complex brain cases. He works closely with UCLA Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology physicians in determining diagnoses and molecular testing of brain tumor samples. 

Current main research interests include biobanking methods and end-stage immunopathology and neuropathology in brain cancer patients.  He consults for the National Neurologic AIDS Brain Bank. His team has also conducted or collaboarated on studies in bioinformatics, nanotechnology, non-invasive imaging, neuroradiology, and targeted therapies. Collaborations have spanned AIDS, stroke, dementia, and epilepsy.

Antonios Joseph P, Soto Horacio, Everson Richard G, Moughon Diana, Orpilla Joey R, Shin Namjo P, Sedighim Shaina, Treger Janet, Odesa Sylvia, Tucker Alexander, Yong William H, Li Gang, Cloughesy Timothy F, Liau Linda M, Prins Robert M   Immunosuppressive tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells mediate adaptive immune resistance via a PD-1/PD-L1 mechanism in glioblastoma Neuro-oncology, 2017; .

Abdaljaleel Maram, Mazumder Rajarshi, Patel Chirag B, Im Kyuseok, Pope Whitney, Liau Linda M, Vinters Harry V, Yong William H   Multiple calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis (MCAPNON): Distinct entity, CAPNON variant, or old neurocysticercosis? Neuropathology : official journal of the Japanese Society of Neuropathology, 2016; .

Lee Seung J, Bui Timothy T, Chen Cheng Hao Jacky, Lagman Carlito, Chung Lawrance K, Sidhu Sabrin, Seo David J, Yong William H, Siegal Todd L, Kim Minsu, Yang Isaac   Central Neurocytoma: A Review of Clinical Management and Histopathologic Features Brain tumor research and treatment, 2016; 4(2): 49-57.

Lamers Susanna L, Rose Rebecca, Maidji Ekaterina, Agsalda-Garcia Melissa, Nolan David J, Fogel Gary B, Salemi Marco, Garcia Debra L, Bracci Paige, Yong William, Commins Deborah, Said Jonathan, Khanlou Negar, Hinkin Charles H, Sueiras Miguel Valdes, Mathisen Glenn, Donovan Suzanne, Shiramizu Bruce, Stoddart Cheryl A, McGrath Michael S, Singer Elyse J   HIV DNA Is Frequently Present within Pathologic Tissues Evaluated at Autopsy from Combined Antiretroviral Therapy-Treated Patients with Undetectable Viral Loads Journal of virology, 2016; 90(20): 8968-83.

Nguyen HuyTram N, Lie Amy, Li Tie, Chowdhury Reshmi, Liu Fei, Ozer Byram, Wei Bowen, Green Richard M, Ellingson Benjamin M, Wang He-Jing, Elashoff Robert, Liau Linda M, Yong William H, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Cloughesy Timothy, Lai Albert   Human TERT promoter mutation enables survival advantage from MGMT promoter methylation in IDH1 wild-type primary glioblastoma treated by standard chemoradiotherapy Neuro-oncology, 2016; 90(20): 8968-83.

Antonios Joseph P, Soto Horacio, Everson Richard G, Orpilla Joey, Moughon Diana, Shin Namjo, Sedighim Shaina, Yong William H, Li Gang, Cloughesy Timothy F, Liau Linda M, Prins Robert M   PD-1 blockade enhances the vaccination-induced immune response in glioma JCI insight, 2016; 1(10): 2468-77.

Ellingson Benjamin M, Nguyen Huytram N, Lai Albert, Nechifor Ruben E, Zaw Okkar, Pope Whitney B, Yong William H, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Liau Linda M, Cloughesy Timothy F   Contrast-enhancing tumor growth dynamics of preoperative, treatment-naive human glioblastoma Cancer, 2016; 122(11): 1718-27.

Hsu Melody S, Sedighim Shaina, Wang Tina, Antonios Joseph P, Everson Richard G, Tucker Alexander M, Du Lin, Emerson Ryan, Yusko Erik, Sanders Catherine, Robins Harlan S, Yong William H, Davidson Tom B, Li Gang, Liau Linda M, Prins Robert M   TCR Sequencing Can Identify and Track Glioma-Infiltrating T Cells after DC Vaccination Cancer immunology research, 2016; 4(5): 412-8.

Heaney Anthony P, Sumerel Brittany, Rajalingam Raja, Bergsneider Marvin, Yong William H, Liau Linda M   HLA Markers DQ8 and DR53 Are Associated With Lymphocytic Hypophysitis and May Aid in Differential Diagnosis The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2015; 100(11): 4092-7.

Choy Winward, Terterov Sergei, Kaprealian Tania B, Trang Andy, Ung Nolan, DeSalles Antonio, Chung Lawrance K, Martin Neil, Selch Michael, Bergsneider Marvin, Vinters Harry V, Yong William H, Yang Isaac   Predictors of recurrence following resection of intracranial chordomas Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 2015; 22(11): 1792-6.

Yong William H, Shabihkhani Maryam, Telesca Donatello, Yang Shuai, Tso Jonathan L, Menjivar Jimmy C, Wei Bowen, Lucey Gregory M, Mareninov Sergey, Chen Zugen, Liau Linda M, Lai Albert, Nelson Stanley F, Cloughesy Timothy F, Tso Cho-Lea   Ribosomal Proteins RPS11 and RPS20, Two Stress-Response Markers of Glioblastoma Stem Cells, Are Novel Predictors of Poor Prognosis in Glioblastoma Patients PloS one, 2015; 10(10): e0141334.

Harris Robert J, Cloughesy Timothy F, Liau Linda M, Prins Robert M, Antonios Joseph P, Li Debiao, Yong William H, Pope Whitney B, Lai Albert, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Ellingson Benjamin M   pH-weighted molecular imaging of gliomas using amine chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI Neuro-oncology, 2015; 17(11): 1514-24.

Liu Feng, Hon Gary C, Villa Genaro R, Turner Kristen M, Ikegami Shiro, Yang Huijun, Ye Zhen, Li Bin, Kuan Samantha, Lee Ah Young, Zanca Ciro, Wei Bowen, Lucey Greg, Jenkins David, Zhang Wei, Barr Cathy L, Furnari Frank B, Cloughesy Timothy F, Yong William H, Gahman Timothy C, Shiau Andrew K, Cavenee Webster K, Ren Bing, Mischel Paul S   EGFR Mutation Promotes Glioblastoma through Epigenome and Transcription Factor Network Remodeling Molecular cell, 2015; 60(2): 307-18.

Masui Kenta, Tanaka Kazuhiro, Ikegami Shiro, Villa Genaro R, Yang Huijun, Yong William H, Cloughesy Timothy F, Yamagata Kanato, Arai Nobutaka, Cavenee Webster K, Mischel Paul S   Glucose-dependent acetylation of Rictor promotes targeted cancer therapy resistance Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015; 112(30): 9406-11.

Karavaeva Elena, Harris Robert J, Leu Kevin, Shabihkhani Maryam, Yong William H, Pope Whitney B, Lai Albert, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Liau Linda M, Chen Wei, Czernin Johannes, Cloughesy Timothy F, Ellingson Benjamin M   Relationship Between [18F]FDOPA PET Uptake, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), and Proliferation Rate in Recurrent Malignant Gliomas Molecular imaging and biology : MIB : the official publication of the Academy of Molecular Imaging, 2015; 17(3): 434-42.

Li Sichen, Chowdhury Reshmi, Liu Fei, Chou Arthur P, Li Tie, Mody Reema R, Lou Jerry J, Chen Weidong, Reiss Jean, Soto Horacio, Prins Robert, Liau Linda M, Mischel Paul S, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Yong William H, Cloughesy Timothy F, Lai Albert   Tumor-suppressive miR148a is silenced by CpG island hypermethylation in IDH1-mutant gliomas Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 2014; 20(22): 5808-22.

Piccioni David E, Selfridge Julia, Mody Reema R, Chowdhury Reshmi, Li Sichen, Lalezari Shadi, Wawrzynski James, Quan Jennifer, Zurayk Mira, Chou Arthur P, Sanchez Desiree E, Liau Linda M, Ellingson Benjamin M, Pope Whitney B, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Green Richard M, Wang He-Jing, Yong William H, Elashoff Robert, Cloughesy Timothy F, Lai Albert   Deferred use of bevacizumab for recurrent glioblastoma is not associated with diminished efficacy Neuro-oncology, 2014; 16(6): 815-22.

Bergsneider Marvin, Mirsadraei Leili, Yong William H, Salamon Noriko, Linetsky Michael, Wang Marilene B, McArthur David L, Heaney Anthony P   The pituitary stalk effect: is it a passing phenomenon? Journal of neuro-oncology, 2014; 117(3): 477-84.

Lou Jerry J, Mirsadraei Leili, Sanchez Desiree E, Wilson Ryan W, Shabihkhani Maryam, Lucey Gregory M, Wei Bowen, Singer Elyse J, Mareninov Sergey, Yong William H   A review of room temperature storage of biospecimen tissue and nucleic acids for anatomic pathology laboratories and biorepositories Clinical biochemistry, 2014; 47(4-5): 267-73.

Shabihkhani Maryam, Lucey Gregory M, Wei Bowen, Mareninov Sergey, Lou Jerry J, Vinters Harry V, Singer Elyse J, Cloughesy Timothy F, Yong William H   The procurement, storage, and quality assurance of frozen blood and tissue biospecimens in pathology, biorepository, and biobank settings Clinical biochemistry, 2014; 47(4-5): 258-66.

Yong William H, Dry Sarah M, Shabihkhani Maryam   A practical approach to clinical and research biobanking Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2014; 1180(1): 137-62.

Masui Kenta, Tanaka Kazuhiro, Akhavan David, Babic Ivan, Gini Beatrice, Matsutani Tomoo, Iwanami Akio, Liu Feng, Villa Genaro R, Gu Yuchao, Campos Carl, Zhu Shaojun, Yang Huijun, Yong William H, Cloughesy Timothy F, Mellinghoff Ingo K, Cavenee Webster K, Shaw Reuben J, Mischel Paul S   mTOR complex 2 controls glycolytic metabolism in glioblastoma through FoxO acetylation and upregulation of c-Myc Cell metabolism, 2013; 18(5): 726-39.

Mareninov Sergey, De Jesus Jason, Sanchez Desiree E, Kay Andrew B, Wilson Ryan W, Babic Ivan, Chen Weidong, Telesca Donatello, Lou Jerry J, Mirsadraei Leili, Gardner Tracie P, Khanlou Negar, Vinters Harry V, Shafa Bob B, Lai Albert, Liau Linda M, Mischel Paul S, Cloughesy Timothy F, Yong William H   Lyophilized brain tumor specimens can be used for histologic, nucleic acid, and protein analyses after 1 year of room temperature storage Journal of neuro-oncology, 2013; 113(3): 365-73.

Babic Ivan, Anderson Erik S, Tanaka Kazuhiro, Guo Deliang, Masui Kenta, Li Bing, Zhu Shaojun, Gu Yuchao, Villa Genaro R, Akhavan David, Nathanson David, Gini Beatrice, Mareninov Sergey, Li Rui, Camacho Carolina Espindola, Kurdistani Siavash K, Eskin Ascia, Nelson Stanley F, Yong William H, Cavenee Webster K, Cloughesy Timothy F, Christofk Heather R, Black Douglas L, Mischel Paul S   EGFR mutation-induced alternative splicing of Max contributes to growth of glycolytic tumors in brain cancer Cell metabolism, 2013; 17(6): 1000-8.

Papour Asael, Taylor Zach, Sherman Adria, Sanchez Desiree, Lucey Gregory, Liau Linda, Stafsudd Oscar, Yong William, Grundfest Warren   Optical imaging for brain tissue characterization using relative fluorescence lifetime imaging Journal of biomedical optics, 2013; 18(6): 60504.

Lalezari Shadi, Chou Arthur P, Tran Anh, Solis Orestes E, Khanlou Negar, Chen Weidong, Li Sichen, Carrillo Jose A, Chowdhury Reshmi, Selfridge Julia, Sanchez Desiree E, Wilson Ryan W, Zurayk Mira, Lalezari Jonathan, Lou Jerry J, Ormiston Laurel, Ancheta Karen, Hanna Robert, Miller Paul, Piccioni David, Ellingson Benjamin M, Buchanan Colin, Mischel Paul S, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Green Richard, Wang He-Jing, Pope Whitney B, Liau Linda M, Elashoff Robert M, Cloughesy Timothy F, Yong William H, Lai Albert   Combined analysis of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein expression and promoter methylation provides optimized prognostication of glioblastoma outcome Neuro-oncology, 2013; 15(3): 370-81.

Singer Elyse J, Valdes-Sueiras Miguel, Commins Deborah L, Yong William, Carlson Margrit   HIV stroke risk: evidence and implications Therapeutic advances in chronic disease, 2013; 4(2): 61-70.

Yadav Nitin, Bhatia Sanjiv, Ragheb John, Mehta Rupal, Jayakar Prasanna, Yong William, Lin Wei-Chiang   In vivo detection of epileptic brain tissue using static fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy Journal of biomedical optics, 2013; 18(2): 27006.

Lazovic Jelena, Soto Horacio, Piccioni David, Lou Jerry R, Li Sichen, Mirsadraei Leili, Yong William, Prins Robert, Liau Linda M, Ellingson Benjamin M, Cloughesy Timothy F, Lai Albert, Pope Whitney B   Detection of 2-hydroxyglutaric acid in vivo by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in U87 glioma cells overexpressing isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 mutation Neuro-oncology, 2012; 14(12): 1465-72.

Chou Arthur P, Chowdhury Reshmi, Li Sichen, Chen Weidong, Kim Andrew J, Piccioni David E, Selfridge Julia M, Mody Reema R, Chang Stephen, Lalezari Shadi, Lin Jeffrey, Sanchez Desiree E, Wilson Ryan W, Garrett Matthew C, Harry Bret, Mottahedeh Jack, Nghiemphu Phioanh L, Kornblum Harley I, Mischel Paul S, Prins Robert M, Yong William H, Cloughesy Timothy, Nelson Stanley F, Liau Linda M, Lai Albert   Identification of retinol binding protein 1 promoter hypermethylation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutant gliomas Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2012; 104(19): 1458-69.

Lai Albert, Kharbanda Samir, Pope Whitney B, Tran Anh, Solis Orestes E, Peale Franklin, Forrest William F, Pujara Kanan, Carrillo Jose A, Pandita Ajay, Ellingson Benjamin M, Bowers Chauncey W, Soriano Robert H, Schmidt Nils O, Mohan Sankar, Yong William H, Seshagiri Somasekar, Modrusan Zora, Jiang Zhaoshi, Aldape Kenneth D, Mischel Paul S, Liau Linda M, Escovedo Cameron J, Chen Weidong, Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia, James C David, Prados Michael D, Westphal Manfred, Lamszus Katrin, Cloughesy Timothy, Phillips Heidi S   Evidence for sequenced molecular evolution of IDH1 mutant glioblastoma from a distinct cell of origin Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2011; 29(34): 4482-90.

Solis Orestes E, Mehta Rupal I, Lai Albert, Mehta Rashi I, Farchoukh Lama O, Green Richard M, Cheng Jerry C, Natarajan Sathima, Vinters Harry V, Cloughesy Timothy, Yong William H   Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor: a pineal region case with IDH1 and IDH2 mutation analyses and literature review of 43 cases Journal of neuro-oncology, 2011; 102(3): 477-84.

Ellison David W, Dalton James, Kocak Mehmet, Nicholson Sarah Leigh, Fraga Charles, Neale Geoff, Kenney Anna M, Brat Dan J, Perry Arie, Yong William H, Taylor Roger E, Bailey Simon, Clifford Steven C, Gilbertson Richard J   Medulloblastoma: clinicopathological correlates of SHH, WNT, and non-SHH/WNT molecular subgroups Acta neuropathologica, 2011; 121(3): 381-96.

Lou Jerry J, Andrechak Gary, Riben Michael, Yong William H   A review of radio frequency identification technology for the anatomic pathology or biorepository laboratory: Much promise, some progress, and more work needed Journal of pathology informatics, 2011; 2(2): 34.

Leung Alina A, Lou Jerry J, Mareninov Sergey, Silver Steven S, Routbort Mark J, Riben Michael, Andrechak Gary, Yong William H   Tolerance testing of passive radio frequency identification tags for solvent, temperature, and pressure conditions encountered in an anatomic pathology or biorepository setting Journal of pathology informatics, 2010; 1(9): 21.

Sun Jing, Masterman-Smith Michael D, Graham Nicholas A, Jiao Jing, Mottahedeh Jack, Laks Dan R, Ohashi Minori, DeJesus Jason, Kamei Ken-ichiro, Lee Ki-Bum, Wang Hao, Yu Zeta T F, Lu Yi-Tsung, Hou Shuang, Li Keyu, Liu Max, Zhang Nangang, Wang Shutao, Angenieux Brigitte, Panosyan Eduard, Samuels Eric R, Park Jun, Williams Dirk, Konkankit Vera, Nathanson David, van Dam R Michael, Phelps Michael E, Wu Hong, Liau Linda M, Mischel Paul S, Lazareff Jorge A, Kornblum Harley I, Yong William H, Graeber Thomas G, Tseng Hsian-Rong   A microfluidic platform for systems pathology: multiparameter single-cell signaling measurements of clinical brain tumor specimens Cancer research, 2010; 70(15): 6128-38.

Mehta Rupal I, Mehta Rashi I, Solis Orestes E, Jahan Reza, Salamon Noriko, Tobis Jonathan M, Yong William H, Vinters Harry V, Fishbein Michael C   Hydrophilic polymer emboli: an under-recognized iatrogenic cause of ischemia and infarct Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc, 2010; 23(7): 921-30.

Guo Deliang, Prins Robert M, Dang Julie, Kuga Daisuke, Iwanami Akio, Soto Horacio, Lin Kelly Y, Huang Tiffany T, Akhavan David, Hock M Benjamin, Zhu Shaojun, Kofman Ava A, Bensinger Steve J, Yong William H, Vinters Harry V, Horvath Steve, Watson Andrew D, Kuhn John G, Robins H Ian, Mehta Minesh P, Wen Patrick Y, DeAngelis Lisa M, Prados Michael D, Mellinghoff Ingo K, Cloughesy Timothy F, Mischel Paul S   EGFR signaling through an Akt-SREBP-1-dependent, rapamycin-resistant pathway sensitizes glioblastomas to antilipogenic therapy Science signaling, 2009; 2(101): ra82.

Mehta Rupal I, Mehta Rashi I, Fishbein Michael C, Solis Orestes E, Jahan Reza, Salamon Noriko, Vinters Harry V, Yong William H   Intravascular polymer material after coil embolization of a giant cerebral aneurysm Human pathology, 2009; 40(12): 1803-7.

Yong William H, Butte Pramod V, Pikul Brian K, Jo Javier A, Fang Qiyin, Papaioannou Thanassis, Black Keith, Marcu Laura   Distinction of brain tissue, low grade and high grade glioma with time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy Frontiers in bioscience : a journal and virtual library, 2006; 11(6): 1255-63.