Shiayin Yang, MD, associate professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is among the recipients of the 2024 Award in Science given by the Rosalind Franklin Society (RFS).
RFS partners with Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. to recognize top scientific publications among the publisher’s portfolio of 100 peer-reviewed journals. The awards amplify the impact of scientific discovery by making the winning papers freely accessible for 90 days to maximize visibility.
Yang’s paper, “The Association of Mental Health Disorders with the Effectiveness of Treating Facial Synkinesis with Chemodenervation Using Botulinum Toxin A,” examines how mental health factors affect the benefits of botulinum toxin-blocking nerve signals to reduce excess muscle movement, a process called chemodenervation. The study found that older age, lowerdepression scores and prior treatments may reduce improvement, while a history of anxiety may lead to greater improvement.
Papers are nominated based on scientific excellence, originality and impact, with final selections made by an academic committee. The selection process is led by editors-in-chief and editorial board members from the participating journals. Each award recipient receives a cash prize.
“I’m honored to be recognized by the Rosalind Franklin Society among a number of other exceptional leaders in scientific research and discovery,” said Yang. “My colleagues in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery have been instrumental in supporting my research, and I’m grateful for the many opportunities to apply our findings to patient care.”
Yang, who has been with VUMC since 2019received her undergraduate degrees in business and biology from the University of Pennsylvania and her medical degree from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Loyola University School of Medicine and her fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Michigan.
Yang specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery, and she also has expertise in facial reanimation, facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty as well as non-surgical treatments including injection of botulinum toxin and facial fillers and laser treatment of the skin.
“Dr. Yang has been a credit to our department since beginning her academic career and we’re delighted to join the Rosalind Franklin Society in celebrating the impact of her research,” said Eben Rosenthal, MD, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Barry and Amy Baker Professor of Laryngeal, Head and Neck Research. “Dr. Yang represents the best of Vanderbilt faculty — she has invested in building personalized patient care and community-focused initiatives at our institution, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for this recognition.”
