Education/Professional Experience:
- 2023-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, East Tennessee State University
- 2020-2023 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University
- 2017-2020 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard University
- 2013-2017 Ph.D, Biomedical Science, East Tennessee State University
Research/Teaching Interests:
- Endothelial cell senescence in age-related cardiomyopathy
- Hepatocyte reprogramming in sepsis-induced liver dysfunction
- Novel role of LSECs in hepatic immune and metabolic function during sepsis
Current research interests of our lab centers on the critical role of the liver in bacterial infection and sepsis, as well as the senescence of endothelial cell in age-related cardiomyopathy. As a key organ in both metabolism and immunology, the liver is essential for metabolic adaption and pathogen clearance during infections. Our research projects are dedicated to understanding how hepatocyte phenotypic reprogramming impacts liver metabolic dysfunction in sepsis. Furthermore, we are intrigued by the functions and regulatory roles of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in modulating hepatic immune and metabolic responses in the context of sepsis.