Gang Hu, MD, MPH, PhD, FAHA
Dr. Gang Hu is a Full Professor and the director of Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Hu earned his MD from Tianjin Medical University, China, and MPH and PhD from University of Kuopio, Finland. Dr. Hu has a vast experience in chronic disease epidemiology and public health research as well as in the analyses of large datasets. Physical activity, obesity, dietary intervention, hypertension, dyslipdemia, and diabetes, and their health consequences (including diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and Parkinson’s disease) have been his major research interests. Dr. Hu is the principal investigator or co-investigator of a number of grant supports, most of which address the role of lifestyle and vascular factors on the risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. At present, he is the PI for one large clinical trial of lifestyle and genetic factors on the incidence of type 2 diabetes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), PI for one NIDDK supported project of biomarkers of pancreatic β-cell loss among women with GDM, and and co-investigator for one CDC supported project of Louisiana Experiment to Address Diabetes. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers and book-chapters.
Yun Shen, MD, Assistant Professor
Dr. Yun Shen is an Assistant Professor at Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory. He is interested in diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Dr. Shen has achieved a consistent and notable record of publications in these areas of study. With an M.D. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China, Dr. Shen was a physician scientist with experience in studying diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in China before joining in the lab at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Dr. Shen has spent years investigating issues related to disease prediction, prevention, diagnosis, metabolic monitoring technologies, and intervention programs. His work involves investigating the comprehensive management of people with diabetes, especially the role of metabolic risk factors and their interactions on the risk of diabetes and its comorbidities such as macro- and micro-vascular complications. He is also developing new markers of glucose monitoring, leveraging advanced technology and therapeutics in diabetes care, as well as lifestyle-related research questions among women with prior gestational diabetes.
Hongyan Sun, PhD, Post-doc
Dr. Hongyan Sun completed her PhD at the University of Miami from 2015 to 2020, followed by a postdoctoral position at Cornell University from 2020 to 2023. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center (Co-mentor with Dr. Jason Collier), focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes progression, specifically the regulation of gene transcription patterns in islet beta cells through the JAK/STAT1 signaling pathway. Her research also explores the potential of unmethylated insulin gene DNA as a biomarker for beta cell death. Additionally, she investigates developmental signaling pathways that regulate diabetes and aims to identify new biomarkers for beta cell death.
Lixia Zhang, MD, Visiting Scholar/Post-doc
Dr. Lixia Zhang obtained her MD from Zhejiang University in 2020. Since then, she has been practicing as an obstetrician at the Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, with a focus on clinical research in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In January 2024, she began a visiting scholar at Pennington Biomedical Research Center under the mentorship of Professor Gang Hu, where she investigates the management of women with GDM, particularly the impact of postpartum weight changes on diabetes risk. Her research also explores the associations between maternal hyperglycemia, antidiabetic drug use, and neonatal outcomes.
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Former member
Postdoctoral Fellowers
Yun Shen, MD
Postdoc Fellow, 2017-2019
Currently Assistant Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Xuhong Hou, PhD
Postdoc Fellow, 2016-2017
Currrently Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
Wenhui Zhao, MD, PhD
Postdoc Fellow, 2012-2014
Currently Professor, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China
Yurong Zhang, MD, PhD
Postdoc Fellow, 2010-2011
Currently Associate Professor, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
Research Associates
Jessica Lin, BSc, 2022-2024
Currently Medical Student, LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine
PhD Students
Yuxin Fan, MD, PhD
PhD Student, 2019-2022
Currently physician, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin China
Qian Chen, MD, PhD
PhD Student, 2015-2018
Currently Researcher, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
Ding Ding, MD, PhD
PhD Student, 2012-2016
Yujie Wang, MSc, PhD
PhD Student, 2010-2013
Currently Biostatistician, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Master Students
Yujie Wang, MSc, PhD
Master Student, 2011-2012
Currently Biostatistician, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Wei Li, MSc
Master Student, 2010-2012
Wenting Xie, MSc
Master Student, 2010-2011
Currently Clinical Study Lead Statistician, Infotree Global Solutions
Visiting Scholars
XiaoYun Yang, MD, 2020
Currently physician, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin China
Jian Zhou, MD, PhD, 2019
Currrently Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
Jun Lu, MD, PhD, 2018-2019
Currrently Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
Yuying Gu, PhD, 2017-2018
Currently Professor, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai, China
Ping Yin, MD, PhD, 2016-2017
Currently Associate Professor, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine
Jing Wang, MD, MSc, 2016-2017
Currently Assistant Professor, Tianjin Women’s and Children Health Center
Tao Zhang, MD, MSc, 2015-2016
Currently Assistant Professor, Tianjin Women’s and Children Health Center
Yijuan Qiao, MD, MSc, 2014-2015
Currently Associate Professor, Tianjin Women’s and Children Health Center
Weiqin Li, MD, PhD, 2013-2014
Currrently Associate Professor, Tianjin Women’s and Children Health Center
Nan Li, MD, PhD, 2012-2013
Currently Professor, Tianjin Women’s and Children Health Center
Trainees
Heidi Feng, Tulane University
Summer Trainee, 2023
Jonathan Ding, California Institute of Technology
Summer Trainee, 2022
Yang Du, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Summer Trainee, 2016
Chenfei Lu, PhD, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Trainee, 2015
Xiaojing Yuan, MPH, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Trainee, 2014
Yonggang Zhang, MSc, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Trainee, 2014
Lu Zhang, Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Summer Trainee, 2011
Group Picture (2024)
Group picture (2019)
Group picture (2010)
