Dr. Yip is professor and director of the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. A leader in computational biology and bioinformatics at Chinese University of Hong Kong, he was recruited in 2022 to further elevate and accelerate Sanford Burnham Prebys’ growing capabilities and ambitions in next-generation biomedical research tools and approaches.
For almost 20 years, Dr. Yip’s research has focused on three primary interests: development of computational methods for analyzing data produced by emerging experimental technologies, such as single-cell and spatial transcriptomics; studying fundamental gene regulatory mechanisms using machine learning and data science methods; and identifying, annotating and interpreting genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic changes in human diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Under his leadership, the mission of the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is to effectively tap the almost unlimited potential of rapidly evolving large-scale data sets and computational tools in biomedical research, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaborations that leverage the expertise of many disciplines to reveal new actionable knowledge.
Education and Training
2010: Postdoctoral associate, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University
2009: PhD, Computer Science, Yale University
2003: M.Phil., Computer Science, The University of Hong Kong
1999: B.Eng., Computer Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
Related Disease
Biliary Atresia, Cancer, Diabetes – General, Hirschsprung Disease, Liver Cancer, Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Type 2 Diabetes
Phenomena or Processes
Cancer Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, Oncogenes, Posttranslational Modification, Transcriptional Regulation, Tumor Microenvironment
Anatomical Systems and Sites
Endocrine System, General Cell Biology, Immune System and Inflammation, Liver
Research Models
Computational Modeling
Techniques and Technologies
Bioinformatics, Comparative Genomics, Genomics, Machine Learning, Protein-Protein Interactions, Systems Biology
The Yip lab studies gene regulatory mechanisms by means of computational modeling. To facilitate their data-centric approach, they develop novel methods for analyzing large amounts of biological data, including those produced by cutting-edge high-throughput experiments. Their computational models provide a systematic way to investigate the functional effects of different types of perturbations to regulatory mechanisms, which creates testable hypotheses for studying human diseases and facilitates translational research.
- Jul 11, 2025
Cutting to the core of how 3D structure shapes gene activity
Jul 11, 2025New method can measure how secluded genomic regions are in 3D space and then link 3D position to gene activity.
- Aug 27, 2024
Simulating science or science fiction?
Aug 27, 2024In the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, simulation-based techniques help scientists find new potential treatments.
- Aug 13, 2024
Dodging AI and other computational biology dangers
Aug 13, 2024Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists say that understanding the potential pitfalls of using artificial intelligence and computational biology techniques in biomedical…
- Aug 8, 2024
Scripting their own futures
Aug 8, 2024At Sanford Burnham Prebys Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, students embrace computational methods to enhance their research careers
- May 11, 2023
New algorithm can predict diabetic kidney disease
May 11, 2023Researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed a computational approach to predict whether…
- Feb 9, 2022
Bioinformaticist Kevin Yip joins Sanford Burnham Prebys
Feb 9, 2022Bioinformaticist Kevin Yip, PhD, has joined Sanford Burnham Prebys as a professor, where he will collaborate with other faculty across the