Gene Luen Yang is an American cartoonist, renowned for his contributions to graphic novels and comics. Born on August 9, 1973, he has become a frequent lecturer on graphic novels and comics, sharing his insights at comic book conventions, universities, schools, and libraries. In addition to his creative endeavors, he served as the Director of Information Services and taught computer science at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California.

In 2012, Yang expanded his influence by joining the faculty at Hamline University as part of the Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC) program. His dedication to young readers was recognized in 2016 when the U.S. Library of Congress named him Ambassador for Young People's Literature. That same year, he became the third graphic novelist to receive a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship.

Yang's notable works include "American Born Chinese," a National Book Award finalist and the winner of both the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel "Boxers & Saints" also garnered acclaim, winning the L.A. Times Book Prize and becoming a National Book Award Finalist. Other significant works include "Secret Coders" (with Mike Holmes), "The Shadow Hero" (with Sonny Liew), and contributions to the "Superman" series from DC Comics and the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series from Dark Horse Comics.