Her research on cytoskeletal organization includes investigations of the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics, functional features of cytoskeletal associated proteins in neurons, and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration associated with cytoskeletal deregulation. Her research identified a ‘master modulator’ of the cytoskeleton and defined the importance of the ubiquitination cascade in maintaining the integration of cytoskeletal organization and function. Over the years, Dr. Yang has published many insightful papers in Cell, Nature, PNAS, etc. She is interested in continuing to elucidate the role of cytoskeletal disruption in axonal degeneration and neuronal death.