Research Interests
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely than others to develop cardiovascular diseases. The long-term focus of our research is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of diabetes-mediated vascular injury, endothelial dysfunction, myocardial infarction and heart failure using animal models; Specifically, to identify whether and how diabetes affects primary cells and adult stem cells as well as cell-derived extracellular vesicles/exosomes; Moreover, to explore whether modification of diabetic primary cells and adult stem cells as well as their extracellular vesicle/exosome-derivatives with genetic approaches, such as metabolite, non-coding RNAs (i.e., circular RNA and miRNA) and epigenetic modification, improves their reparative and regenerative properties.
Education, Training & Credentials
- Postdoctoral fellowship, University of Calgary, Canada
- PhD, University of Helsinki, Finland
Memberships
- American Heart Association
Honors/Awards
- Transformational Project Award, American Heart Association
- Grant in Aid, American Heart Association
- Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association