Ya-Wen Chen, PhD
Ya-Wen Chen (Preferred Name)
img_Ya-Wen Chen
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Otolaryngology
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology
Research Topics
Antivirals, Biochemistry, Biomechanics/Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology, Cellular Differentiation, Developmental Biology, Differentiation, Enzymology, Epithelial Cells, Extracellular Matrix, Induced pluripotent stem cells, Infectious Disease, Influenza Virus, Lung, Membrane Proteins/Channels, Molecular Biology, Morphogenesis, Otolaryngology (ENT), Proteases, Protein Complexes, Protein Structure/Function, Regeneration, Respiratory, SARS Virus, Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Development Regeneration and Stem Cells [DRS], Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT), Microbiology [MIC]
Current Research Support
1. PRMRP Discovery Award-Airway Reconstruction (PI: Chen) 02/01/2021-01/13/2023
Department of Defense Total Award: $329,998

2. PRMRP Discover Award-COVID-19 (PI: Chen) 01/15/2021-01/14/2023
Department of Defense Total Award: $329,997

3. R21 (PI: Zaltner, University of Georgia) 10/01/2021-09/30/2023
NIH/NICHD Total Award: $432,648 $56,633 to Dr. Chen

4. R56 (PI: Chen) 09/20/2021-08/31/2022
NIH/NHLBI Total Award: $431,432

5. PRMRP TTDA (PI: Heifetz, OrPro Therapeutics) 07/01/2022-06/30/2023
Department of Defense Total Award: $2,147,023; $455,916 to Dr. Chen

6. R01 (PI: Chen) 07/01/2022-06/30/2027
NIH/NHLBI Total Award: $3,510,012

7. Philanthropic fund (PI: Chen) 01/01/2023-12/31/2025
Total Award: $900,000
Completed Research Support
1. Parker B. Francis Fellowship (PI: Chen) 07/01/2018-06/30/2021
Francis Foundation Total Award: $156,000

2. DISC2 award (PI: Ichida) 06/15/2020-06/14/2021
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Total Award:$35,971

3. Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation Faculty Fellowship Award (PI: Chen) 07/01/2020-06/30/2021
Baxter Foundation Total Award: $100,000

4. W.M. Keck Covid-19 Award (PI: Chen) 08/01/2020-09/30/2021
W.M. Keck Foundation Total Award: $196,791

5. Catalyst Award (PI: Chen) 07/01/2020-06/30/2022
American Lung Association Total Award: $100,000
General Research Interests
The Chen lab focuses on applying hPSC-derived lung organoids as a model to study the mechanisms of lung injury repair and the applications of stem cell-derived lung progenitor or mature airway/alveolar epithelial cells to lung injury repair, stem cell-based therapy, and regenerative medicine. The ultimate goal is to reconstruct a functional trachea and lung in vitro or in situ for replacement. In addition, responding to infectious disease caused by coronavirus family and influenza virus, the lab is studying the role of TMPRSS2, a type II transmembrane serine protease, during viral infection. To achieve their goals, the lab integrates research from three different fields: developmental biology, stem cell therapy, and bioengineering.

BS, Tung-Hai University, Taiwan

MS, Georgetown University

PhD, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Postdoc, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

2020

Catalyst Award, American Lung Association

American Lung Association

2020

Baxter Faculty Award, Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation

Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation

2018

Parker B. Francis Fellowship, Francis Foundation

Francis Foundation

2017

Travel Award, International Society for Stem Cell Research

International Society for Stem Cell Research

2017

Training Award-PCBC hPSC Biology and Gene Editing, NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium

NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium

2017

Training Award-PCBC Multiplexed in situ Hybridization, NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium

NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium

2015

Travel Award, International Society for Stem Cell Research

International Society for Stem Cell Research

2015

Samuel Bard Young Investigator Awards

2014

Journal of Investigative Dermatology Profile December: Meet the Investigator

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

2010

Travel Award, University of Maryland, Baltimore

University of Maryland, Baltimore

2010

Winner of Biochemical Journal Poster Prize, Gordon Conference

Gordon Conference

2010

2nd place, Student Category of Plasminogen Activation & Extracellular Proteolysis, Gordon Conference

Gordon Conference

1999

Masterpiece of Biology of National Science & Experiment Competition, Taiwan

Taiwan

1998

Young Scientist Award, APEC, South Korea

APEC

1998

The third Award of the 38th National Private and high schools Science Fair of Taiwan

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Dr. Chen did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry and other outside entities during 2023 and/or 2024: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.