Research Interests
Dr. Jan is Associate Professor and Director of Rehabilitation Engineering Lab in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at UIUC. He is committed to developing rehabilitation technologies for the prevention and management of secondary conditions in people with impaired mobility. Dr. Jan has extensively published his research work to improve the understanding of the effect of various pathophysiological conditions (spinal cord injury, aging, diabetes, physical inactivity) on musculoskeletal injury. His research has been supported by the NIH, NIDRR, PVA Foundation and Reeve Foundation. Dr. Jan is an Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Assistive Technology (official journal of RESNA) and Associate Editor of Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation as well as on the editorial board for Journal of Tissue Viability. Dr. Jan is on Stanford's Top 2% Scientistis List in Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation (2025, single year).
Education
Rehabilitation Science and Technology, Postdoc, University of of Pittsburgh
Rehabilitation Science and Technology, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Biomedical Engineering, MS, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Physical Therapy, BS, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, Health and Kinesiology
Highlighted Publications
Jan, Y.-K., Hou, X., He, X., Guo, C., Jain, S., & Bleakney, A. (2021). Using elastographic ultrasound to assess the effect of cupping size of cupping therapy on stiffness of triceps muscle. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 100(7), 694-699. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001625
Jan, Y. K. (2020). The effects of local cooling rates on perfusion of sacral skin under externally applied pressure in people with spinal cord injury: an exploratory study. Spinal Cord, 58(4), 476-483. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-019-0378-x
Jan, Y. K., & Cheung, W. C. (2026). Muscle oxygenation regulation in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Medical Gas Research, 16(1), 66-75. https://doi.org/10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-24-00149
Jan, Y.-K., Hung, I. Y.-J., & Cheung, W. C. (2025). Texture Analysis in Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics, 15(5), Article 524. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15050524
Jan, Y.-K., Kelhofer, N., Tu, T., Mansuri, O., Onyemere, K., Dave, S., & Pappu, S. (2024). Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Management of Microvascular Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus. Diagnostics, 14(24), Article 2830. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14242830
Recent Publications
Cheng, C. K., Jan, Y. K., & Zhang, J. (2026). Editorial: Biomechanics in orthopaedic diseases and surgery, volume II. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 13, Article 1768760. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1768760
Jan, Y. K., & Cheung, W. C. (2026). Muscle oxygenation regulation in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Medical Gas Research, 16(1), 66-75. https://doi.org/10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-24-00149
Lin, C. W., Jun, I. B., Igbo, V., Babaniamansour, A., Meng, L., Lin, C. F., & Jan, Y. K. (2026). The Optimal Dosage of Isometric Handgrip Exercise for Blood Pressure Reduction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 28(4), Article e70246. https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.70246
Liu, J., Yu, H., & Jan, Y. K. (2026). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the mechanism of action of Tai Chi on cardiovascular disease: evidence map of aerobic and mind-body exercise pathways. Scientific reports, 16(1), Article 6708. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35996-3
Liu, J., Gopal, V., Ellis, B., Ray, I., Pappu, S., & Jan, Y. K. (2026). Effects of Near Infrared Light on Surgical Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Wound Journal, 23(2), Article e70841. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.70841