Dr. Youxing Jiang is associate professor of physiology at UT Southwestern and a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a philanthropic organization that promotes biomedical research. He is also a W.W. Caruth, Jr. Scholar in Biomedical Research. Dr. Jiang’s research focuses on determining the structure and function of ion channels, which are proteins found in cell membranes. Ion channels control the flow of ions, such as sodium, potassium and calcium across the cell membrane. Their function underlies many biological processes, including the excitation of nerve and muscle cells, the secretion of hormones and sensory transduction. Dr. Jiang joined the faculty in 2003.