Email：sy458@drexel.edu
Research Interest：Thalamocortical inputs regulate the development of inhibitory circuitry in the mPFC
Education Experience:
2013-2015 --- Master student --- Capital Normal University --- Advisor: Ping Yu
2015-2017 --- Visiting student --- Drexel University --- Advisor: Wen-Jun Gao
2017-present --- Ph.D. student --- Drexel University --- Advisor: Wen-Jun Gao
2020-present --- Visiting student --- Fudan University --- Advisor: Yousheng Shu
Working Experience:
2021.08 Postdoc Fudan University Advisor: Bo Li
Publications:
1.Wen-Jun Gao *,Sha-Sha Yang, Nancy R. Mack, Linda A. Chamberlin (invited Expert Review): Aberrant connectivity and maturation of prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia – contribution of NMDA receptor development and hypofunction. Molecular Psychiatry (in revision).
2.Sha-Sha Yang, Nancy R. Mack, and Wen-Jun Gao*. (2021) Prefrontal GABAergic interneurons gate long-range afferents and regulate prefrontal cortex dependent complex behaviors. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience (Invited topic review, in preparation)
3.Bo Xing, Nancy R. Mack, Kai-Ming Guo, Yu-Xiang Zhang, Billy Ramirez,Sha-Sha Yang, Li Lin, Dong V. Wang, Yan-Chun Li, Wen-Jun Gao*. (2020) A subpopulation of prefrontal cortical neurons is required for social memory. Biological Psychiatry.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.08.023
4.Erin P. McEachern1, Austin A.Coley1,Sha-Sha Yang, Wen-Jun Gao* (2020) PSD-95 deficiency alters GABAergic inhibition in the prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology. Volume 179.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108277
5.Yan-Chun Li*, Priyalakshmi Panikker, Bo Xing,Sha-Sha Yang, Cassandra Alexandropoulos, Erin P. McEachern, Rita Akumuo, Elise Zhao, Yelena Gulchina, Mikhail V. Pletnikov, Nikhil M. Urs, Marc G. Caron, Felice Elefant, Wen-Jun Gao* (2019) Deletion of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β in D2 Receptor–Positive Neurons Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment via NMDA Receptor–Dependent Synaptic Plasticity. Biological Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.10.025
*Commentary: Michael F. Jackson. Epigenetic Mechanism Links NMDA Receptor Hypofunction and Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia to D2 Receptors. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.01.024
6.Sha-Sha Yang, Yan-Chun Li, Austin A. Coley, Linda A. Chamberlin, Ping Yu* and Wen-Jun Gao*(2018) Cell-Type Specific Development of the Hyperpolarization-Activated Current, Ih, in Prefrontal Cortical Neurons. Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience. Volume 10, article 7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00007
7.Dan-Dan Hong, Wen-Qiang Huang, Ai-Ai Ji,Sha-Sha Yang, Hui Xu, Ke-Yi Sun, Aihua Cao, Wen-Jun Gao, Ning Zhou*, Ping Yu* (2018) Neurons in rat orbitofrontal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex exhibit distinct responses in reward and strategy-update in a risk-based decision-making task. Metabolic Brain Disease.
https://doi: 10.1007/s11011-018-0360-x
8.Yan-Chun Li,Sha-Sha Yang, Wen-Jun Gao* (2016) Disruption of Akt signaling decreases dopamine sensitivity in modulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission in rat prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 108: 403-14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.05.002
9.Wen-Qiang Huang,Sha-Sha Yang, Ping Yu* (2016) Neural mechanisms of risky decision-making based on rodent research (review). Advances in psychological science 24(11): 1767-1779.
https://doi:10.3724/SP.J.1042.2016.01767
10.Meng-Lin (Merry) Li,Sha-Sha Yang, Bo Xing, Brielle Ferguson, Yelena Gulchina, Yan-chun Li, Feng Li*, Xi-Quan Hu*, Wen-Jun Gao* (2015) LY395756, an mGluR2 agonist and mGluR3 antagonist, enhances NMDA receptor expression and function in the normal adult rat prefrontal cortex, but fails to improve working memory and reverse MK801-induced working memory impairment. Experimental Neurology 273:190-201.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.08.019
Conference Presentations:
1.Sha-Sha Yang*, Wen-Jun Gao. Thalamocortical inputs regulate the development of inhibitory circuitry in the mPFC. DUCOM Discovery Day. Oct 8, 2020 (online).
2.Sha-Sha Yang* and Wen-Jun Gao. Mediodorsal thalamic inputs modulate local circuitry development in the prefrontal cortex through somatostatin interneurons. DUCOM Discovery Day. Nov 7, 2019.
3.Sha-Sha Yang* and Wen-Jun Gao. Cell type specific innervation of prefrontal cortical interneurons from the mediodorsal thalamus. Gordon Research Seminar & Gordon Research Conference. Newry, ME. Jul 14-20, 2018.
4.Sha-Sha Yang* and Wen-Jun Gao. Cell type specific input from mediodorsal thalamus to prefrontal cortical interneurons. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA. Nov 3-7, 2018.
5. Austin A. Coley*,Sha-Sha Yang, Bo Xing, Wen-Jun Gao. PSD-95 deficiency alters afferent-specific projections in the mPFC. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA. Nov 3-7, 2018.
6. Cassandra Alexandropoulos*,Sha-Sha Yang, Nancy Mack, Wen-Jun Gao, and Yan-Chun Li. The role of Igsf9b in the prefrontal cortical function. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA. Nov 3-7, 2018.
7.Sha-Sha Yang*1, 2, Yan-Chun Li1, Ping Yu2, and Wen-Jun Gao1. Postnatal Development of Hyperpolarization-Activated Current Ih in Pyramidal Neurons versus PV-interneurons in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex. DUCOM Discovery Day. Oct 20, 2016.
8.Sha-Sha Yang*1, 2, Yan-Chun Li1, Ping Yu2, and Wen-Jun Gao1. Postnatal Development of Hyperpolarization-Activated Current Ih in Pyramidal Neurons versus PV-interneurons in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex. Society for Neuroscience., San Diego. Nov 12-17, 2016.
9.Sha-Sha Yang*, Yan-Chun Li, and Wen-Jun Gao. Postnatal Development of the Hyperpolarization-Activated Current Ih in Mouse Prefrontal Cortical Pyramidal Neurons. DUCOM Discovery Day. Oct 8, 2015.
Address:No.138, medical college road 
Postcode:200032 
Tel/Fax:021-54237056
Emial:itbr@fudan.edu.cn
