Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor in Medicine
·
2023 - Present
Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition,
Medicine
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
·
2015 - Present
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Coenzyme A protects against ferroptosis via CoAlation of mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase.
Journal Article J Clin Invest · October 1, 2025 The cystine-xCT transporter/glutathione/GPX4 axis is the canonical pathway protecting cells from ferroptosis. Whereas GPX4-targeting ferroptosis-inducing compounds (FINs) act independently of mitochondria, xCT-targeting FINs require mitochondrial lipid per ... Full text Link to item Citeα cells use both PC1/3 and PC2 to process proglucagon peptides and control insulin secretion.
Journal Article Sci Adv · September 19, 2025 α cells secrete proglucagon peptides to regulate nutrient metabolism. Recent findings support an α cell-to-β cell axis that is mediated by paracrine signaling through the glucagon receptor and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor in β cells. To address ... Full text Link to item CiteDissecting the effect of mitochondrial BCAT inhibition in methylmalonic acidemia.
Journal Article JCI Insight · September 9, 2025 Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a severe metabolic disorder affecting multiple organs because of a distal block in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism. Standard of care is limited to protein restriction and supportive care during metabolic decompen ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Metabolic Actions of Glucagon
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Mechanisms of lipid-induced bioenergetic stress in muscle
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2010 - 2028Mechanisms linking the Branched-Chain alpha-Keto Acid regulatory network to the pathogenesis of NASH
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2023 - 2028View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) ·
2004
M.S.
Nanjing University (China) ·
2001
Ph.D.