Zhen Y. Jiang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Direct contact: zyjiang@bu.edu
Experience
Dr. Jiang was trained as a Medical Doctor before earning his M.S. in Pharmacology from Peking Union Medical College, China, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University College, the University of London, UK. He did his postdoctoral research training at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston before working as an Instructor/Research Assistant Professor in the Program in Molecular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Jiang was then recruited to the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute as an Assistant Professor in 2008. Dr. Jiang has been a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at Boston University School of Medicine since 2013.
Research Interests
Jiang lab is interested in understanding how nutritional factors, obesity and gut microbiota influence myelopoiesis and innate immunity in connection with adipose inflammation, insulin sensitivity, metabolic and vascular functions. Currently, Jiang lab is mainly focused on the following research areas: (1) Understanding how innate immunity regulates metabolic and vascular functions. In particular, we are exploring the role of neutrophils and neutrophil elastase in the development of adipose inflammation, insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction (Mansuy-Aubert V et al, Cell Metabolism 2013). (2) Investigating the role of CDP138, a novel calcium-binding phosphoprotein, in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolisms, thermogenesis, fat browning, and cardiovascular functions (Xie X et al, Cell Metabolism 2011). Approaches used in the lab include flow cytometry, live cell imaging, bone marrow transplantation, transcriptional regulation, cell differentiation, and genetically modified animal models fed with high-fat diet.