Overview
Liping Feng, MD's research has focused on understanding the mechanisms of pregnancy complications associated with placental development. These works are translated then to the clinical care of women through studies dedicated to identify risk factors and novel biomarkers for early prediction and prevention of adverse birth outcomes.
Dr. Feng devotes her entire career to improving pregnancy outcomes through innovative research. Dr. Feng conducts both basic science/laboratory research, as well as participates in clinical studies. Her laboratory has focused on understanding the mechanisms of placenta-originated pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and still birth, which are important causes of perinatal and neonates’ mortality and morbidity. Currently, she has three lines of investigation focused on the roles of inflammation/infection, cell aging, and environmental exposure in placental development and subsequent pregnancy complications.
In addition, Dr. Feng has established an international collaboration in Global Women’s Health. She has affiliated with the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) and participates in a DGHI research. She has an interest in DGHI education, and service or policy initiatives, including mentoring and teaching graduate and professional students on fieldwork and research.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Scholarly Works
Sound of nurturing: Advanced photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging of placental hemodynamics.
Journal article Placenta · March 30, 2026 The placenta is a transient yet vital organ that regulates maternal-fetal exchange and profoundly influences pregnancy outcomes. Placental hemodynamic dysfunction is central to many major obstetric complications, including preeclampsia and fetal growth res ... Full text Link to item CitePFBS Disrupts Mitochondria! Function and Induces PreeclampsiaLike Signatures in Human Placental Models
Conference REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES · March 2026 Link to item CiteEvaluating Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Effects on Endometrial Health: From Decidualization to Dysfunction
Conference REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES · March 2026 Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholars
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2030PFAS exposure is detrimental to placental function and fetal development by disrupting mitochondrial function and metabolism
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2019 - 2029View All Grants