Heiko Yang, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Heiko is a surgeon–scientist at the University of Colorado specializing in organ perfusion, kidney stones, and polycystic kidney disease.

Lin Wang, PhD

Staff Scientist

Lin is a research scientist with a background in gene therapy, virology, and vaccines. She focuses on developing effective viral and non-viral vector–based therapies for genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer, particularly for diseases with limited or no treatment options. She is passionate about making treatments more affordable and less painful. She loves dogs and enjoys gardening, hiking, and running.

Fernanda Pons Faudoa, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Fer is a postdoctoral resesarcher who plans to pursue a career in surgical residency. Outside of research, she enjoys hiking, biking, and camping, exploring national parks, trying new beers at local breweries, attending concerts, and following football, hockey, baseball, and basketball, especially during playoff season.

Kengo Kawase, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

Kengo is a practicing urologist from Nagoya City University, Japan, and a postdoctoral researcher in the Yang Lab. He has an interest in kidney stones, kidney surgery, and minimally invasive techniques. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife Maho and two boys, Yugo and Shogo.

A smiling young woman with long dark hair and glasses in a medical or laboratory setting, with anatomical posters and equipment in the background.

Jean Lee

Lab Manager / Research Assistant

Jean is a post-baccalaureate research assistant who graduated from UC Berkeley in 2023 with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. She is passionate about surgery and plans on applying to medical school. She enjoys gaming, going down Youtube rabbit holes, and rummaging through the contents of her refrigerator.

A woman with glasses and long brown hair smiling at the camera in a laboratory setting.

Natalie Meyer

Research Assistant

Natalie is a post-baccalaureate research assistant who graduated from UC Berkeley in 2024 with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys creating various types of art (especially kidney-inspired art pieces). She plans to pursue a PhD program in biomedical sciences.

Young man smiling in a laboratory, wearing a white lab coat, with scientific equipment and supplies in the background.

Mustafa Saeed

Medical Student

Mustafa Saeed is a fourth-year medical student at CU participating in the Scholar’s Year research program. He is interested in pursuing a career in urology. He enjoys perfume construction, soccer, and supporting his favorite team, Arsenal.

Jack Drummond

Medical Student

Jack is a third-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine pursuing a dual MD/MS in Aerospace Engineering, focused on space medicine and austere care. He aims to bridge clinical medicine and bioastronautics to improve human health during long-duration space flight, with career interests in general surgery or emergency medicine. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hanging out with friends, camping, and freediving.

Smiling young man in a white lab coat and glasses in a pharmacy or laboratory setting.

Megill Stewart

Post-baccalaureate Student

Gill is a post-baccalaureate premedical student at CU Boulder who graduated with a BA (International Honors) in History from the College of William and Mary and the University of St. Andrews. He enjoys spending time with his family, taking pictures with his film camera, and getting into the mountains as often as possible. He plans on applying to medical school.

David Mitch Reynolds, MD

Research Associate

Mitch received his MD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine before joining the CU Transplant Division to pursue research full time. He is now collaborating with the Yang lab on the Urology and Transplant divisions’ shared goal of pioneering new methods and technologies in the world of normothermic ex vivo organ perfusion. He is currently deliberating between going back to school to pursue a PhD, or returning to the world of clinical practice via a residency program. He enjoys skiing, bouldering, landscape and wildlife photography, and is an avid Formula 1 racing fan.