Yan Su is an experienced biomedical researcher with more than 20 years of academic and clinical expertise across immunology, molecular pathogenesis, and in vivo disease modeling. Trained as an M.D. at Chongqing Medical University, she began her career as a dermatologist and later transitioned into biomedical research in the United States. Since 2002, she has led and independently conducted extensive mouse model studies involving immune regulation, antigen processing, kidney injury, fibrosis, and diabetic and chronic kidney diseases.

At Vanderbilt University, she has contributed to multiple research programs, providing expertise in molecular biology, immunology, and complex surgical and genetic mouse models. She has co-authored scientific publications, trained graduate students and fellows, and supported high-functioning laboratory operations. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing translational research that improves human health.

Ariel Pruchnicki is a Laboratory manager for the VCAT. She is a graduate of Central Connecticut University where she studied Biology. She has a certificate in project management and supply chain management and analytics. Ariel comes from Florida with 10 years of industry experience. 

Xiaotao received her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Sichuan University in 1984 and Master’s degree in Microbiology from the Institute of Microbiology at the Chinese Academy of Science in 1987.Xiaotao joined in Dr. Mark Denison’s lab of Pediatric Infectious Disease at VUMC in 1992. During her tenure in Denison lab, she studied the biology of coronaviruses (CoVs), including SARS-CoV-2. Her research focused on investigating the mechanisms of CoV replication, exploring fidelity regulatory networks, examining the role of recombination in CoV evolution, and development of anti-CoV therapeutics. In 2019, she received the Edward E. Price Jr. Award for Excellence in Basic Research at VUMC and was recognized in 2023 as one of Vanderbilt’s twelve highly cited researchers. She joined the Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics as a Senior Research Specialist in 2025, where she continues to drive forward research in vaccine development and infectious disease prevention.