Department: Cancer/Stem Cell Biology Institute

My current research interests are to study the biology of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the functional roles of genes involved in CSCs proliferation and self-renewal. Since CSCs are believed to be responsible for recurrent and metastatic breast cancer, the ultimate goal is to develope targeted therapies to specifically kill the CSCs subpopulation. Identification of genes involved in CSCs functions may lead to novel CSC-specific targeting drugs.

My research is focused on human pluripotent stem cells (ESCs and iPSCs) to study cardiovascular development and related diseases.

I have great interests in the genes and proteins involved in gamete development, reproduction, and fertility. My current work aims to elucidate the genes and chromosomes that are involved in establishing a woman’s oocyte (egg) endowment and associated with follicle loss and declining fertility, and the environmental/ethnic factors that modify these effects. An underlying objective is to translate findings into clinical applications to improve the diagnosis and treatment of female infertility.