Clinic nutrition and metabolism Lab
Research Field
I am a Professor in the Department of Health Care and Nutrition at Taipei Medical University, and I am actively looking for motivated Master’s and Doctoral students with a strong background in nutrition to join my research team. My laboratory focuses on the cutting-edge fields of immunonutrition, mucosal immunity, and Vitamin D metabolism. What makes our research unique and highly competitive is our dual-track translational approach: we combine in vivo animal models (to explore biological mechanisms) with high-impact UK Biobank big data analysis (to validate findings in human populations). This methodology equips my students with a versatile skill set, ranging from advanced laboratory techniques to modern bioinformatics, preparing them for top-tier careers in academia and clinical research. If you are passionate about critical care nutrition and want to be part of a lab that translates basic science into real-world clinical solutions, I invite you to explore our work. Together, we can push the boundaries of nutritional science and improve patient outcomes."
Professional Experience
- 2021: Exchange Scholar, Laboratory of Nutrition, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University (Japan)
- 2017.08 – Present: Professor, Department of Health Care and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University
- 2017.02 – 2017.07: Professor, Department of Health Care and Nutrition, Chinese Culture University
- 2013.02 – 2017.01: Associate Professor, Department of Health Care and Nutrition, Chinese Culture University
- 2009.08 – 2013.01: Assistant Professor, Department of Food, Health and Nutrition, Chinese Culture University
- 2008 – 2009: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA)
- 2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Kansas Medical Center (USA)
- 2006.02 – 2008.01: Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Nutrition, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science
- 2005.02 – 2006.01: Lecturer, Department of Health and Nutrition, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science
Welcome to my research group at Taipei Medical University. As a researcher dedicated to the intersection of nutrition and disease pathology, I welcome ambitious Master’s and Doctoral students who share a deep interest in clinical nutrition and possess a solid background in nutritional sciences to join our team.
My research expertise lies at the intersection of nutrition and immunology, with a specialized focus on immunonutrition and the regulation of mucosal immunity. I am particularly interested in the biochemical pathways of vitamin D metabolism and its therapeutic implications in inflammatory and infectious conditions. My methodology employs a dual-track translational approach: I primarily use in vivo animal models to elucidate fundamental biological mechanisms and nutrient-host interactions at the cellular level. To ensure the clinical relevance of these findings, I integrate and cross-validate my experimental results with large-scale human genomic and phenotypic data from the UK Biobank. This robust framework allows for the identification of potential biomarkers and the translation of basic science into human health outcomes. Furthermore, my work extends to clinical applications in critical care nutrition, specifically optimizing parenteral nutrition support to improve patient recovery and outcomes in intensive care settings.
Awards and Honors
- Outstanding Academic Research Award, Nutrition Society of Taiwan. Plenary Lecture: "Effects of Calcitriol Supplementation on Immune Regulation and Organ Injury in Obese Mice with Sepsis" (Taichung, Taiwan, 2023)
- Best E-Poster Award, 32nd World Congress of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists (IASGO). Poster: "Intravenous calcitriol administration modulates mesenteric lymph node CD4+ T cell polarization and attenuates intestinal inflammation in obese mice complicated with polymicrobial sepsis" (Taipei, Taiwan, 2021)
- Professor Shang-Chiu Chen Memorial Academic Award, Nutrition Society of Taiwan (Taichung, Taiwan, 2017)
International Academic Exchange
- Exchange Scholar, Laboratory of Nutrition, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan, Sep–Dec 2021)
Selected Invited Lectures & Oral Presentations
- Oral Presenter, The 23rd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN), International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS). Title: "Neutrophils as a critical mediator in the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and lung function in participants with inflammatory bowel disease from the UK Biobank" (Paris, France, 2025)
- Oral Presenter, The 46th European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) Congress. Title: "Association between blood N-3 fatty acid levels and inflammatory marker levels in UK biobank participants with inflammatory bowel disease" (Milan, Italy, 2024)
- Invited Speaker, Annual Meeting of the Taiwan Society for Metabolism and Surgery. Title: "Effects of Calcitriol Administration and Weight Loss on CD4+ T Cell Dysregulation in Obese Mice with Sepsis" (Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2023)
- Invited Speaker, The 32nd World Congress of IASGO. Title: "Application of vitamin D3 in sepsis induced-acute lung injury: an obese animal model for clinical critical illness" (Taipei, Taiwan, 2021)
Education
- Ph.D. in Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University (2006)
- M.S. in Graduate Institute of Health Care and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University (2000)
- B.S. in Department of Health Care and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University (1998)
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
The intern will be deeply involved in every stage of the research process, from high-level experimental design to the final synthesis of data. Primary responsibilities include:
- Advanced Molecular Biology Analysis:
The candidate will perform and optimize fundamental molecular biology techniques, including but not limited to DNA/RNA extraction, quantitative PCR (qPCR), gel electrophoresis, and Western blotting. Beyond basic execution, the intern will be expected to troubleshoot experimental protocols and assist in protein expression analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. Maintaining meticulous records of experimental parameters and results in laboratory notebooks is mandatory to ensure the integrity and reproducibility of our research findings. - Coordination of Animal Experiments:
The intern will play a key role in supporting the research team during in vivo studies using animal models, such as mice or rats. Responsibilities include sophisticated animal handling, monitoring health status, administering precise treatments through various injection routes, and performing minor surgical procedures under strict ethical guidelines. The candidate will also lead the collection of physiological data and perform tissue harvesting during necropsy, ensuring that all procedures strictly comply with institutional animal care and biosafety standards. - Systematic Sample Processing and Analysis:
You will be responsible for the sophisticated preparation, processing, and long-term storage of biological samples, including specific tissues, blood fractions, and primary cell cultures. This role involves the expert use of advanced laboratory equipment such as microplate readers, ultra-centrifuges, and confocal microscopic imaging systems to analyze processed samples. The intern is expected to manage biological materials with the highest level of care according to biosafety protocols. - Statistical Data Modeling and Documentation:
The intern will systematically organize and digitize extensive raw datasets collected from various experiments. You will perform advanced statistical analysis using professional software such as GraphPad Prism, SPSS, or R to interpret complex experimental findings and identify significant trends. Furthermore, you will take a lead role in the creation of publication-quality charts, tables, and visual representations of data for laboratory meetings, progress reports, and manuscript submissions. Conducting comprehensive literature reviews to provide context for the research data is also an essential component of this role.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Qualifications and Requirements
- Academic Background: Applicants must hold or be currently pursuing a Master or PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, or a closely related scientific field.
Skill sets or Qualities
Required Skill Sets and Qualities
- Technical Expertise: Strong proficiency in fundamental molecular biology techniques and a solid understanding of biological pathways.
- Animal Research Skills: Prior experience in handling rodent models and a firm commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices.
- Analytical Skills: Competence in statistical software and the ability to interpret complex biological data accurately.
- Professionalism: High attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Language and Communication: Excellent command of English for scientific writing and effective collaboration within an international team.