Wenjing Yu, DDS, PhD

Professional Biography

Dr. Wenjing Yu is an Assistant Professor and the Associate Director of the Predoctoral Orthodontics Program in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She completed her D.D.S. and Ph.D. in Orthodontics at West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China, in 2015. Afterward, Dr. Yu moved to the United States to pursue further training, earning her D.Sc.D. and completing a postdoctoral specialty in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 2022. Her basic research interests focus on the biology of orofacial stem cells, the cellular response to mechanical and orthodontic stimuli, and the interaction between the immune system and stem cells in tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Dr. Yu’s clinical research primarily lies in the TMJ alterations in orthodontic patients. In addition to her research, Dr. Yu is actively involved in orthodontic education, patient care, and research mentoring at both the pre-doctoral and post-graduate levels. She currently practices Orthodontics at the Penn Dental Family Practice on Locust Walk.

Honors & Credentials

• Board Certification, American Board of Orthodontics, 2023
• National 1st Place Scholarship, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, 2010
• Travel Award of PDM Research for AADR/IADR, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2016
• Dean’s Scholarship, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2018-2022
• Finalist of Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award, American Association of Orthodontists, 2022
• Henry O’Hern Jr. Pilot Grant Award, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2023, 2024
• Shoenleber Research Pilot Grant Award, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2023
• Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine,  University of Pennsylvania, 2024
• Finalist of INNOVATION Award for Excellence in Orthodontics Research competition, Orthodontics Research Group (ORG) of 2025 IADR/PER General Session, 2025
• Councilor, IADR Orthodontics Research Group, 2025-2028
• Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08), NIDCR/NIH, 2025-2030

Education

• DMD, University of Pennsylvania 2025
• DScD, University of Pennsylvania 2022
• Certificate, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Pennsylvania, 2022
• PhD, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China, 2015
• DDS, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, China, 2012