My research interests focus on two major aspects. The first is to understand the mechanisms governing liver regeneration. At the cellular level, I investigate the regulation of the cell cycle of replicating hepatocytes and the activities of liver progenitor cells in injured liver. At the molecular level, I study how the prolactin receptor transduces mitogenic signaling driving hepatocyte proliferation to compensate for the loss of liver mass. I am also interested in deciphering how TGF-B signaling mediates liver injury-induced skeletal muscle wasting.  The second is to understand how maternal liver adapts to pregnancy.  Ongoing projects are to elucidate the functions of the prolactin receptor and transcription factor Ascl1 in regulating maternal liver growth and mediating the cross-talk between maternal liver and other maternal organs during pregnancy. The ultimate goal is to develop approaches to treat liver disorders and their complications. 

Education

Post-Doctoral: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

Post-Doctoral: Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.

PhD: College of Agricultural and Animal Sciences, Jilin University, P.R. China.

MS: Changchun Veterinary University, Changchun, P.R. China.

DVM: Changchun Veterinary University, Changchun, P.R. China.

Publications & Professional Activity

Affiliations

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)