Post-Doc Fellow in Epidemiology
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
yzhan819@jhu.edu
Utilize real-world evidence (EHR or Claims data) and causal inference methods to
(1) Investigate the impact of infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, Long COVID, and HIV) effects on chronic diseases (e.g. kidney diseases)
(2) Evaluate the side effects of medications (pharmacoepidemiology)
2024
PhD: Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine
Epidemiology, PhD advisor: Vernon M. Chinchilli
2018
MPH: Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
Global Health (Infectious Diseases Concentration)
2016
BS: Peking University
Experimental Medical Science (Molecular Pharmacology)
BLaw: Peking University
Sociology
13. Zhang Y, Ghahramani N, Li R, Chinchilli VM, Ba DM. Prediction of acute and chronic kidney diseases during the post-covid-19 pandemic with machine learning models: utilizing national electronic health records in the US. EBioMedicine. Published online April 26, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105726
12. Ssentongo P, Venugopal N, Zhang Y, Chinchilli VM, Ba DM. Beyond Human Babesiosis: Prevalence and Association of Babesia Coinfection with Mortality in the United States, 2015-2022: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 8;11(10):ofae504.
11. Zhang Y, Ghahramani N, Chinchilli VM, Ba DM, Does COVID-19 Increase the Risk of Subsequent Kidney Diseases More Than Influenza? A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data In the United States. medRxiv 2024.06.27.24309556.
10. Ba, D.M.; Kayembe, C.; Littlejohn, J.; Van Scoy, L.J.; VanDyke, E.; Williams, J.; Katoch, A.; Shook, N.C.; Zhang, Y.; Livelsberger, C.; et al. Navigation-Based Telehealth Informed Decision-Making for Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men. Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31, 3698-3712.
9. Zhang Y, Ba DM, Risher K, Liao D, Parent LJ, Ghahramani N, Chinchilli VM. Effects of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy and Long COVID on kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study using real-world data. Clinical Kidney Journal. 2024; sfae164.
8. Zhang Y#, Chinchilli VM, Ssentongo P, et al Association of Long COVID with mental health disorders: a retrospective cohort study using real-world data from the USA. BMJ Open 2024;14:e079267.
7. Norton, J., Foy, A., Ba, D., Liu, G., Leslie, D., Zhang, Y., Naccarelli, G., Obese patients with new onset atrial fibrillation/flutter have higher risk of hospitalization, cardioversions, and ablations, American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice, 2024,100375
[# corresponding author]
6. Ba DM, Risher KA, Ssentongo P, Zhang Y, Dai Q, Liu G, Maiga M, Zhang X, Diakite B, Coulibaly SDP, Hou L, Leslie DL, Chinchilli VM. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Treatment With Antiretroviral Therapy Mitigates the High Risk of Mental Health Disorders Associated With HIV Infection in the US Population. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023 Nov 7;10(11):ofad555. PMID: 38033986
5. Li YQ, Fan F, Wang YR, Li LY, Cao YJ, Gu SM, Liu SS, Zhang Y, Wang J, Tie L, Pan Y, Li HF, Li XJ. The novel small molecule BH3 mimetic nobiletin synergizes with vorinostat to induce apoptosis and autophagy in small cell lung cancer. Biochem Pharmacol. 2023 Oct;216:115807. Epub 2023 Sep 15. PMID: 37716621
4. Ba DM, Zhang Y, Chinchilli VM, Maranki J. Statins exposure and acute pancreatitis: a retrospective cohort study using a large national insurance database. BMJ Open. 2023 Sep 27;13(9):e077591. PMID: 37758671
3. Zhang Y#, Ghahramani N, Razjouyan H, Ba DM, Chinchilli VM. The association between proton pump inhibitor use and risk of post-hospitalization acute kidney injury: a multicenter prospective matched cohort study. BMC Nephrol. 2023 May 26;24(1):150. PMID: 37237361
2. Ba DM, Zhang Y, Pasha-Razzak O, Khunsriraksakul C, Maiga M, Chinchilli VM, Ssentongo P. Factors associated with pregnancy termination in women of childbearing age in 36 low-and middle-income countries. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Feb 28;3(2):e0001509. PMID: 36963033
[# corresponding author]
1. Ssentongo P, Zhang Y, Witmer L, Chinchilli VM, Ba DM. Association of COVID-19 with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 23;12(1):20191. PMID: 36418912