Dr Yang obtained his PhD degree (2002) emphasized on Polymeric Biomaterials at The Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. After completing his PhD study, he joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University at Evanston, IL for his postdoctoral training under Prof. Guillermo Ameer from 2003. Dr. Yang became assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in September, 2006 and was promoted as associate professor in September, 2011.

Dr Yang has published 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, 14 patents/patent applications, 3 book chapters, and more than 90 conference abstracts/presentations. Dr. Yang's research has been funded by major funding agencies including National Science Foundation (NSF CAREER award), National Institute of Health (NIH), and American Heart Association (AHA). Dr Yang serves as a reviewer for more than 30 journals. He is also a frequent grant reviewer for NIH, NSF, AHA, and other federal and private funding agencies. Dr Yang is currently mentoring 1 research associate, 3 postdoctoral fellows, 6 PhD students, 3 MS students, and a number of undergraduate/high school students to conduct his research in biomaterials, tissue engineering, cancer drug delivery and imaging, and medical devices.