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Professor
Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy
Currently seeking M.S. students.
My laboratory studies fundamental mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and its related diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes that have become the greatest threats to global human health. We have discovered and characterized several key molecules in adiponectin signaling and the roles in regulating the cross talk between adiponectin and insulin signal pathways. These mechanisms allow us to explore how insulin resistance initiates and develops, a major cause of metabolic disorders. Throughout our work, we have developed a track record in molecular signaling, metabolism and disease studies.
Career Development Award (American Diabetes Association) (2005)
Award for Excellent in Graduate Student Education (Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, UTHSCSA) (2008)
Named as an Academic Member (Master Teacher) by the UTHSCSA (2010)
Named as Distinguished Teaching Professor by the University of Texas Board of Regents (2010)
Presidential Teaching Excellent Award (UTHSCSA) (2013)
My laboratory studies fundamental mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and its related diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes that have become the greatest threats to global human health. We have discovered and characterized several key molecules in adiponectin signaling and the roles in regulating the cross talk between adiponectin and insulin signal pathways. These mechanisms allow us to explore how insulin resistance initiates and develops, a major cause of metabolic disorders. Throughout our work, we have developed a track record in molecular signaling, metabolism and disease studies.
Funding Agency NIH/NIDDK, Title The role of TCTP in regulating adiponectin signaling, Period 04/2015 - 03/2021 (NCE), Role Principal Investigator , Grant Detail The major goals of this project are to determine the roles of NELF, a key Pol II-pausing factor, in regulating expression of genes involved in beige adipose thermogenesis.
Funding Agency NIH/NIDDK, Title Regulation of Transcription Elongation in Adipose Homeostasis, Status Active Period 12/2017 - 11/2021, Role Principal Investigator, Grant Detail The major goals of this project are to determine the roles of NELF, a key Pol II-pausing factor, in regulating expression of genes involved in beige adipose thermogenesis.
Funding Agency NIH/NIDDK, Title Regulation of Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Function by DsbA-L in the liver, Status Active Period 04/2018 - 03/2022, Role Co-Investigator, Grant Detail The major goals of this project are to determine the role of Disulfide-bond-A oxidoreductase (DsbA)-like protein (DsbA-L) in regulating mitochondrial function in the liver.