As a veterinary cardiologist and a researcher in the field of non-coding RNA, extracellular vesicles, and cardio-oncology, Dr. Vicky Yang has a special interest in improving our understanding of the role of epigenetics in canine cardiac disease, understanding the effects of traditional and novel anti-cancer agents on the heart, and helping us better understand human heart diseases by studying our pet patients. Given the similarities between companion animals and human heart diseases, our patients can serve as excellent spontaneous disease models for human cardiac diseases, including heart valve diseases, cardiomyopathies, and cardiotoxicity from anti-cancer drugs. The knowledge acquired through our veterinary patients can improve our understanding of human heart diseases. Dr. Yang and her team have developed the technique for canine mitral valve valvular interstitial cell isolation and culture, adult cardiomyocyte culture using the slice culture method, and non-coding RNA analysis protocols.
Dr. Vicky Yang also treats heart conditions in dogs, cats, and other animals at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Given Dr. Yang’s dual role as a clinical veterinary cardiologist and basic research scientist, she provides a unique role in bridging the clinical needs with basic science research objectives.