Dr. V. Wee Yong Biography

Dr. Wee Yong's CV Dr. Wee Yong's Abbreviated CV

Dr. V. Wee Yong is a Professor at the University of Calgary and the Co-Director of the Alberta MS Network. His research interests in neuroimmunology are guided by multiple sclerosis, glioblastoma and intracerebral hemorrhage. His bench results have been translated into eight clinical trials. Dr. Yong has published 440 manuscripts which have been cited >47,800 times (h-index of 122). He has mentored 35 trainees who are professors at universities worldwide. Dr. Yong has been the President of the International Society of Neuroimmunology, and he continues to co-direct its Americas and Global Schools. Dr. Yong is an elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada. He is a recipient of the Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine. Dr. Yong was profiled in the August 2021 issue of Lancet Neurology.

My research has been translated into clinical trials in MS, spinal cord injury, and glioblastoma. Collectively, my studies of neuroimmunology are aimed at understanding, controlling and tipping the balance of neuroinflammation towards one of neuroprotection and regeneration from CNS insults.

Dr. V. Wee Yong

Neuroinflammation across neurological diseases

Shi FD, Yong VW, Neuroinflammation across neurological diseases, Science 388(6753):eadx0043, 2025

A Phase 1-II study of niacin in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: Safety and interim Phase II analysis

Roldan Urgoiti G, de Robles P, Tsang RY, Willson M, Ghosh S, Faruqi M, Lim G, Loewen SK, Nordal R, Cairncross G, Leckie C, Poon CC, Yong VW, A Phase 1-II study of niacin in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: Safety and interim Phase II analysis, J Neurooncol 176:101, 2025

Fibulin-2 is an extracellular matrix inhibitor of oligodendrocytes relevant to multiple sclerosis

Ghorbani S, Li C, Lozinski BM, Moezzi D, D’Mello C, Dong Y, Visser F, Li H, Silva C, Xue M, Yong VW,Fibulin-2 is an extracellular matrix inhibitor of oligodendrocytes relevant to multiple sclerosis, J Clinical Investigation 134:e176910, 2024

Time for a new mechanism-driven framework toward defining multiple sclerosis progression

Kuhlmann T, Moccia M, Coetzee T, Cohen JA, Correale J, Graves J, Marrie RA, Montalban X, Yong VW, Thompson AJ, Reich DS, on behalf of the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis, Time for a new mechanism-driven framework toward defining multiple sclerosis progression, Lancet Neurol 22:78-88, 2023

Microglia in multiple sclerosis: Protectors turn destroyers

Yong VW, Microglia in multiple sclerosis: Protectors turn destroyers, Neuron 110:3534, 2022

Single cell and spatial RNA sequencing identify perturbators of microglia functions with ageing

Dong Y, Jain RW, D’Mello C, Lozinski B, Visser F, Ghorbani S, Zandee S, Brown DI, Prat A, Xue M, Yong VW, Single cell and spatial RNA sequencing identify perturbators of microglia functions with ageing, Nature Aging 2:508-525, 2022

B cells in central nervous system disease: Diversity, locations and pathophysiology

Jain RW, Yong VW, B cells in central nervous system disease: Diversity, locations and pathophysiology, Nature Rev Immunology 22:513-524, 2022

Versican promotes T helper 17 cell cytotoxic inflammation and impedes oligodendrocyte precursor cell remyelination

GhorbaniS, JelinekE, JainR, BuehnerB, LiC, Lozinski B, SarkarS, KaushikDK, Dong Y, WightTN, Karimi-AbdolrezaeeS, SchenkGJ, StrijbisEM, GeurtsJ, ZhangP, LingCC, YongVW, Versican promotes T helper 17 cell cytotoxic inflammation and impedes oligodendrocyte precursor cell remyelination, Nature Communications 13:2445, 2022

Mechanism-based criteria to improve therapeutic outcomes in progressive multiple sclerosis

Yong HYF, Yong VW, Mechanism-based criteria to improve therapeutic outcomes in progressive multiple sclerosis, Nature Rev Neurol 18:40-55, 2022

Oxidized phosphatidylcholines found in multiple sclerosis lesions mediate neurodegeneration and are neutralized by microglia

Dong Y, D’Mello C, Moezzi D, Lozinski B, Kaushik D, Ghorbanigazar S, Brown D, Melo FC, Vo T, Yong VW, Oxidized phosphatidylcholines in multiple sclerosis lesions mediate neurodegeneration and are neutralized by microglia, Nature Neuroscience 24:489-503, 2021

Inaugural Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Scientist Award (2023)

Inaugural Cumming Scholar Award, Cumming School of Medicine (2022)

Telemachus Distinguished Mentorship Award (2020)

Killam Research Award (2019)

Single top researcher at the University of Calgary

Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award (2018)

Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine (2017)

Canadians for Health Research (2017)

Researcher of the Month

Smith Distinguished Award for Senior Faculty (2013-2015)

Single faculty member for overall excellence

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2014)

This is considered one of the highest honors for members of the Canadian research community

Order of the University of Calgary (2014)

This is the highest honor for staff at the University of Calgary

Killam Annual Professorship (2012-2013)

Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2010)

This is considered one of the highest honors for members of the Canadian Health Sciences community

“U make a difference” (2009)

“Compelling Calgarian” (2008)

Dr. Yong is one of 20 Calgarians honored by the Calgary Herald (main Calgary newspaper in a city of 1.1 million) on New Year’s Day for various successes

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - National Certificate of Merit (2007)

This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis"

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (2005-2009)

Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Year Medallion (2002)

Multiple Sclerosis volunteer activities

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - National Certificate of Merit (2000)

This award is given to one individual for “outstanding contribution in furthering the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada on a national basis”

Cochrane Distinguished Achievement Award for excellence in research (2000)

Office Address

Hotchkiss Brain Institute and

Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology

University of Calgary

187 - 3330 Hospital Drive NW

Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1

Telephone

403‑220‑3544

Fax

403‑210‑8840

E‑mail

vyong@ucalgary.ca