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Liping Feng

Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Sciences
Box 103208, Durham, NC 27710
701 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701

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 Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2021 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Assistant Professor in Pathology · 2020 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Research Professor of Global Health · 2023 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published July 27, 2022
Global Concerns for Maternal Health Come Close to Home
Published February 3, 2020
Replacement chemicals may put pregnancies at risk
Published May 14, 2018
MEDx Bridging the Gap Monday, May 14, 2018

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Recent Publications


PIEZO1 Drives Trophoblast Fusion and Placental Development.

Journal Article bioRxiv · March 26, 2025 PIEZO1, a mechanosensor1,2 in endothelial cells, plays a critical role in fetal vascular development during embryogenesis3,4. However, its expression and function in placental trophoblasts remain unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that PIEZO1 is expressed in ... Full text Link to item Cite

Characterization of a tomato chlh mis-sense mutant reveals a new function of ChlH in fruit ripening.

Journal Article Plant Biotechnol J · March 2025 Tomato fruit ripening is a complex developmental process that is important for fruit quality and shelf life. Many factors, including ethylene and several key transcription factors, have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of tomato fruit r ... Full text Link to item Cite

Three-dimensional diffractive acoustic tomography.

Journal Article Nat Commun · January 29, 2025 Acoustically probing biological tissues with light or sound, photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging can provide anatomical, functional, and/or molecular information at depths far beyond the optical diffusion limit. However, most photoacoustic and ultrasound ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2029

Perinatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) exposure and Immunotoxicity

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2023 - 2028

2025 Student Scholarships in Cardiovascular Disease - Melissa Marchese

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Heart Association · 2025 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China) · 2000 M.S.
Harbin Medical University (China) · 1997 M.D.