HOUSTON (July 15, 2026) – Dr. Rui Yang , a Research Vision Scholar at Texas Children’s through the Research Vision Program Search and Recruitment Committee and a member of the Texas Children’s Research Institute (TCRI) , as well as a clinical fellow in the Department of Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine , has been awarded the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists (CAMS).
This competitive award recognizes investigators whose research has the potential to advance fundamental knowledge of human disease while accelerating the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The CAMS program supports the next generation of physician-scientists as they transition from advanced clinical and research training to independent academic careers. Yang will receive $700,000 over five years to support continued research.
“This award recognizes not only the collective efforts that have brought us to this point, but also the promise of our ongoing research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with devastating immunodeficiencies and immune dysregulation,” said Yang, who also is a CPRIT Scholar at Texas Children’s and Baylor. “It also reflects the exceptional scientific environment and mentorship at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital and reinforces my commitment to fostering a supportive research community where the next generation of physician-scientists can thrive, succeed and make discoveries that improve patients’ lives.”
Yang’s research focuses on understanding the genetics of immune reactions that underlie severe infectious and autoimmune diseases and working to identify how inherited variations in immune system pathways contribute to susceptibility to infection and immune dysfunction.
His project supported by the CAMS program will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate immune responses in patients with rare genetic disorders that affect immune defense. The research aims to uncover previously unrecognized pathways that contribute to disease development and identify potential therapy targets.
Yang’s research goals are threefold. First, He aims to advance the diagnosis and understanding of children with life-threatening immunodeficiencies and immune dysregulation by uncovering novel genetic mechanisms underlying known disorders and identifying entirely new genetic diseases. Second, he seeks to use these ultra-rare disorders as windows into the fundamental biology of the human immune system, paving the way for new therapies for both rare and common diseases. Third, he is committed to fostering the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists through innovative research and mentorship, helping them pursue their curiosity, thrive and build successful independent careers.
“The BWF CAMS Award recognizes my previous work while providing generous funding with exceptional flexibility. That flexibility allows me to remain committed to my long-term research goals while pursuing bold, high-risk, high-reward scientific questions,” said Yang.
Yang attended Tongji Medical College at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Vermont, completed postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University, and then completed his residency at Weill Cornell Medicine. He recently completed his fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Texas Children’s and Baylor, where he will continue his work in allergy and immunology as a tenure-track assistant professor.
About Texas Children’s
Texas Children's, a nonprofit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The system includes the Texas Children's Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston and Texas Children's Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families. The organization also created Texas Children's Health Plan, the nation's first HMO focused on children; Texas Children's Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children's Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org .