►Where are you from originally, and where did you go to school?

I am from China and I received my PhD in 2007 from Tsinghua University, China. Before that, I received my Bachelor and Master degrees in 2000 and 2003 from Shandong University, China.

►What is your current position?

Instructor

►Why did you decide to become a researcher?

Being interested in animals and plants made me choose Biological Sciences in college. The later graduate student training increased my passion in medical research and made me decide to become a researcher.

►What is the “Big Picture” of what you study?

Discover innovative drug targets and develop novel strategies to protect against diabetes.

►What is your favorite aspect of your research?

Figure out novel targets and the molecular mechanisms by which they regulate human islet biology.

► What do you hope to achieve with your research?

Find novel drugs to protect against diabetes and improve the lives of diabetes patients.

► What groups are you involved with?

American Diabetes Association (ADA)

►When not in the lab what are your favorite hobbies/activities?

Hiking and painting