Copos Lab Department of Mathematics Department of Biology Northeastern University
Email: ying1.zhang@northeastern.edu Office: Mugar Life Sciences Building 206A
PhD, Mathematics, Boston University (May 2020, with Samuel Isaacson)
BA, Mathematics, Boston University (2015)
About
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics in Copos Lab at Northeastern University. My research interests are in the areas of differential equations (ordinary and partial), stochastic processes, numerical analysis, and mathematical modeling in biology. I am especially interested in developing models and new mathematical tools to study multi-scale stochastic dynamics arising in molecular, cell and systems biology. Recently, my research has centered on several key areas: developing mechanical models to study collective cell migration and identifying the key components contributing to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and understanding their impact on PCOS-induced cancers through developing models and novel mathematical tools.
Recent News, Activities and Talks
■
■
■
October 6-10, 2025: AIM SQuaRE for research collaboration in Pasadena, CA.
Y. Zhang, E. Bastounis, and C. Copos, Emergence of Multiple Collective Motility Modes in A Physical Model of Cell Chains. Submitted. (2025). [arXiv version of manuscript]
■
S. A. Isaacson and Y. Zhang, An Unstructured Mesh Convergent Reaction-Drift-Diffusion Master Equation for Reversible Reactions. Bull. Math. Bio., Vol. 87, No. 13, (2025). [journal link][arXiv version of manuscript]
■
A. Huhn, D. Nissley, D. B. Wilson, M. Kutuzov, R. Donat, T. K. Tan, Y. Zhang, M. I.
Barton, C. Liu, W. Dejnirattisai, P. Sipasa, J.Mongkolsapaya, A. Townsend, W. James,G. Screaton, P. Anton van der Merwe, C. M. Deane, S. A. Isaacson, and O. Dushek, The Molecular Reach of Antibodies Crucially Underpins Their Virus Neutralisation Capacity. Nat. Commun., Vol. 16, No. 338, (2025). [journal link][arXiv version of manuscript]
■
A. Kent, K. Leiderman, A. C. Nelson, S. Sindi, M. M. Stadt, L. Xiong, and Y. Zhang. Studying the Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Coagulation Using a Mathematical ModelingApproach. The IMA Volumes in Mathematics and its Applications (2024). [journal link]
■
L. Elam, M. Quiñones-Frías, Y. Zhang, A. A. Rodal, and T. G. Fai, Fast Solver for Diffusive Transport Time on Dynamic Intracellular Networks, SIAP, Vol. 0, No. 0, S476 (2023). [journal link][arXiv version of accepted manuscript]
■
Y. Zhang and T. G. Fai, Influence of the Vessel Wall Geometry on the Wall-induced Migration of Red Blood Cells, PLOS Comp. Biol., Vol. 19, No. 7, e1011241 (2023). [journal link][arXiv version of accepted manuscript]
■
Y. Zhang and S. A. Isaacson, Detailed Balance for Particle Models of Reversible Reactions in Bounded Domains, J. Chem. Phys., Vol. 156, No. 20, pp. 204105-1 -- 204105-19 (2022). [journal link][arXiv version of accepted manuscript]
■
Y. Zhang, L. Clemens, J. Goyette, J. Allard, O. Dushek and S. A. Isaacson, The Influence of Molecular Reach and Diffusivity on the Efficacy of Membrane-Confined Reactions, Biophysical Journal, Vol. 117, No. 7, pp 1189-1201 (2019). [Open Access Journal Version]
■
S. A. Isaacson and Y. Zhang, An Unstructured Mesh Convergent Reaction-Diffusion Master Equation for Reversible Reactions, J. Comp. Phys., Vol. 374, pp. 954 -- 983 (2018). [journal link][arXiv version of accepted manuscript]
■
Y. Zhang, Particle-Based Stochastic Reaction-Diffusion Methods for Studying T Cell Signaling. PhD Thesis in Mathematics, Boston University, 2020 (Advisor: Samuel Isaacson). [PDF]
