Ph.D. - Molecular Pathology-Lipid Sciences
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

M.S. - Occupational Health and Toxicology
Fudan University

B.S - Preventive Medicine
Fudan University

 NPC1L1 Deficiency Suppresses Ileal Fibroblast Growth Factor 15 Expression and Increases Bile Acid Pool Size in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice  2021 - publications

TLR4 signaling selectively and directly promotes CGRP release from vagal afferents in the mouse
2020 - publication

Hepatocyte TLR4 Deficiency Protects Against Alcohol-induced Fatty Liver Disease 2018 - publications

Short-Term Versus Long-Term Effects of Adipocyte Toll-Like Receptor 4 Activation on Insulin Resistance in Male Mice
2017 - publications

Hepatocyte Toll-like Receptor 4 Regulates Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance. 2014 - publications

PPARγ in Vagal Sensory Neurons Regulates Energy Balance. 2014 - publications

Inhibiting DNA Methylation by 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine ameliorates atherosclerosis through suppressing macrophage inflammation. 2014 - publications

Ezetimibe Inhibits Hepatic Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 to Facilitate Macrophage Reverse Cholesterol Transport in Mice. 2013 - publications

Instructor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas [2017–2020]

Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD)

Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease and has become a serious health problem worldwide. Currently, we are interested in exploring the following aspects: 1) the tissue-specific role of de novo lipogenesis; 2) the role of gut-liver axis; 3) the involvement of lipolysis controlled by sympathetic nervous system and 4) dietary factors. 

Obesity-associated fatty liver disease and insulin resistance

My previous work has demonstrated that hepatocyte toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays critical roles in regulating obesity-associated inflammation, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. I have generated and characterized two novel mouse models, which allows deletion and re-expression of TLR4 in a tissue-specific manner. These valuable tools will be used to evaluate the contribution of vagal afferent TLR4 in obesity-induced impairments in liver function and glucose homeostasis. 

Role of Hepatocyte TLR4 in Alcohol-Induced Steatohepatitis and Insulin Resistance

- NIH/NIAAA [2017/06–2022/05]

K01 (Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award)

Role of Dietary Cholesterol in Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Insulin Resistance

- NIH/NIAAA [2021/03–2023/02]

R03