Irene Yang
PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor
About the PI
Dr. Irene Yang, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She earned her MSN in Nursing Education and PhD in Nursing Research from the University of Louisville in 2014. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Yang further honed her expertise as a T32 postdoctoral fellow at Emory, where she pursued advanced research training. In 2016, she joined the faculty, bringing her dedication to excellence in nursing education, research, and mentorship.
Dr. Yang is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that supports both innovation and learning. Through her work at Emory, she continues to contribute to the development of future nursing leaders while advancing the university's mission to improve health and well-being in local and global communities.
Contact
(404) 727-0555
Publications
Peer Reviewed
1. Yang, I., He, X., Jeon, J., Claussen, H., Arthur, R., Cushenan, P., Weaver, S.R., Luo, R., Black, M., Shannahan, J., & Wright, C. (In press). The impact of vaping behavior on functional changes within the subgingival microbiome. Scientific Reports
2. Bussenius, H., Moore, C., Kombara, G., Endeshaw, Y., Hendler, K., & Yang, I. (2025). Medical-dental integration: Oral Health (OH-I-CAN®) Program. The Journal of Nurse Practitioners, 21(5): 105361.
3. Brewster, G., Yang, I., Pelkmans, J., Higgins, M., Waldrop, D., Dunbar, S.B., & Yeager, K.A. (2024). Factors related to cognitive performance among Black caregivers of persons living with a chronic illness: An exploratory study. Geriatric Nursing, 59, 159-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.06.035
4. Yang, I., Alford, T., Brewster, G., Geurs, N., Wharton, W., Yeager, K., Houser, M. (2024). The Oral Microbiome and Cognition among Black Cancer Caregivers. Nursing Research, 74, 47-55. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000785
5. Brewster, G., Houser, M., Yang, I., Pelkmans, J., Higgins, M., Tower-Gilchrist, C., Wells, J., Jones, D., Carlson, N. (2023). Metabolic Pathways Associated with Multimorbidity in Black Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 19(S13), e075351. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.075351
6. Richardson, B.N., Noh, H.I., Webster, C.I., Zhang, W., Kim, S., Yang, I., & Bai, J. (2023). Oral microbiome, mental health, and sleep outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study in Chinese and Korean American immigrants. OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, 27(4), https://doi.org/10.1089/omi.2022.018
7. Brewster, G., Wang, D., McPhillips, M.V., Epps, F., & Yang, I (2022). Correlates of sleep disturbance experienced by informal caregivers of persons living with dementia: A systematic review. Clinical Gerontologist, https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2022.2139655
8. Yang, I., Claussen, H., Arthur, R.A., Hertzberg, V.S., Geurs, N., Corwin, E.J., & Dunlop, A.L. (2022). Subgingival microbiome in pregnancy and a potential relationship to early term birth. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.873683
9. Yang, I., Rodriguez, J., Wright, Christa Young, & Hu, Yi-Juan. (2022). The oral microbiome of electronic cigarette users: A cross-sectional exploration. Oral Diseases, 29(4), 1875-1884. http://doi: 10.1111/odi.14186
10. Park, J., Corwin, E.J.., Dunlop, A. L., & Yang, I. (2022). Initial psychometric testing of a maternal oral symptom survey. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 67(2), 258-263. http://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13343
11. Butts, B., Alford, T., Brewster, G., Carlson, N., Coleman, E., Davis, E., Ferranti, E., Kimble, L., Narapareddy, L., Wells, J., & Yang, I. (2021). Adaptation of metabolomics and microbiomic research protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Research, 71(2), 128-137. http://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000574
12. Yang, I., Arthur, R.A., Zhao, L., Clark, J., Hu, Y., Corwin, E.J., & Lah, J. (2021). The oral microbiome and inflammation in mild cognitive impairment. Experimental Gerontology, 147, 111273. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111273
13. Yang, I., Hu, Y., Corwin, E.J., & Dunlop, A.L. (2020). Exploring the maternal infant oral microbiome. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 34(3), 211-221. DOI: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000494
14. +Yang, I., Sandeep, S., & Rodriguez, J. (2020). The oral health impact of electronic cigarette use: A systematic review. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 50(2), 97-127. DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2020.1713726
15. Yang, I. & Hall, L. (2019). Factors related to prenatal smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Women & Health, 59, 1026-1074. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2019.1584145
16. Yang, I., Knight, A.K., Dunlop, A. L., & Corwin, E.J. (2019). Characterizing the subgingival microbiome of pregnant, African American women. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN), 48(2), 140-152. DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2018.12.003
17. Mutic, A., Ferranti, E., Jordan, S., Thul, T., & Yang, I. (2017). The postpartum and newborn microbiomes. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 42(6), 326-331. doi: 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000374
18. Jordan, S., Baker, B., Dunn, A., Edwards, S., Ferranti, E., Mutic, A., Yang, I. & Rodriguez, J. (2017). Maternal-child microbiome: Collection, storage and implications for research and practice. Nursing Research, 66, 175-183. DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000201
19. Yang, I., Corwin, E. J., Brenna, P. A., Jordan, S., Murphy, J. R., & Dunlop, A. (2015). The infant microbiome: Implications for infant health and neurocognitive development. Nursing Research, 65, 76-88. PMCID: PMC4681407. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000133
Non-peer Reviewed
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Yang, I. (2021). Proceedings of the Summer Institute on Symptoms and Omics. Biological Research for Nursing., 24, 5-9. DOI: 10.1177/10998004211050056
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Yang, I. (2017). The microbiome and maternal newborn health. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 42(6), 309. DOI: 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000381