Qiuxia (Lisa) Li, PhD, associate in Cardiovascular Medicine, received a three-year, $231,000, Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA). Li will use this funding to investigate how Sirtuin1 in endothelium affects peripheral insulin-sensitive tissues.
“Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and co-exists with insulin resistance,” Li said. “Sirtuin1 normally is important for proper endothelial function and promotes insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.”
The lack of Sirtuin1 causes endothelial inflammation. Li observed that deficiency of endothelial Sirtuin1 also improves insulin sensitivity and prevents obesity-associated insulin resistance. Under the support of this career development award, Li will determine if and how Sirtuin1 in endothelium regulates peripheral tissue glucose metabolism.
Li joined the faculty in 2017, shortly after her postdoctoral training supervised by Kaikobad Irani, which was funded by the Hematology T32 Training Program. She currently works in the Irani Lab, which is part of both the François M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.
congratulations