Dr. Wang's research focuses on developing tools and technologies that combine molecular, cellular, tissue and biomaterial engineering to promote regeneration and restore function. The Wang Group engineers and develops stem cells, extracellular vesicles/nanomedicine and extracellular matrix/biomaterial scaffolds for the treatment of surgical conditions and diseases. The Wang Lab develops and utilizes experimental and naturally-occurring disease models to evaluate regenerative products for accelerated translational application. The Wang Lab also produces clinical-grade stem cell products, carries out investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical applications, and conducts human clinical trials.
Dr. Wang has been serving as PI on several major grants supported by NIH/NIBIB, NIH/NICHD, NIH/NINDS, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the University of California Center for Accelerated Innovation (UC-CAI), the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of California (TRDRP), Shriners Hospital for Children and other foundations. Dr. Wang has filed more than 20 US and international patent applications, published over 160 peer-reviewed papers and has received numerous awards, such as the UC Davis Health Deans’ Team Award for Excellence in Research, UC Davis Health Deans’ Fellowship, UC Davis School of Medicine Cultivating Team Science Award, UC Davis Chancellor's Fellowship, Deloitte QB3 Award for Innovation, the Tony Phillips Research Award from the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), the Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award from the March of Dimes Foundation, the NIH/NHLBI Technology Development Award, the KidneyX: Redesign Dialysis Phase 2 Innovation award from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Sacramento Region Innovation Award.