Our research spans multiple labs and focuses on five key areas, as follows. 

Cardiovascular and vascular diseases 

• Hong Wang Lab: Investigates hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and atherosclerosis. Using advanced models and -omics tools, our team identifies metabolic and molecular mechanisms linking HHcy to vascular dysfunction. 
• Jun Yu Lab: Studies vascular remodeling, fibrosis and atherogenesis. We examine how ER stress and reticulon proteins drive plaque necrosis and inflammation, and we test inhibitors targeting MAPK pathways. 
• Rihab Bouchareb Lab: Examines calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and identifies novel biomarkers (FNDC1, MXRA5) and explores platelet-driven calcification and valve thrombosis. 

Together, these labs define the Center’s approach to cardiovascular pathology, spanning vascular injury, remodeling, calcification and metabolic drivers of disease. 

Kidney and liver metabolic diseases 

• Rihab Bouchareb Lab: Studies acute kidney injury (AKI), with emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction and transplantation as a novel therapy. 
• Juncheng Wei Lab: Investigates endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) and liver proteotoxic stress. His group discovered the ERm6A pathway and identified the roles of E3 ligases HRD1 and MARCH6 in regulating metabolism, linking liver stress to MASLD and obesity. 
• Sheng Wu Lab: Explores how elevated androgen receptor (AR) signaling contributes to MASLD, insulin resistance, and reproductive dysfunction in women. 

These studies connect mitochondrial and proteotoxic stress to systemic disease, offering insight into prevention and treatment strategies. 

Metabolism, repair and regeneration 

• Mohsin Khan Lab: Focuses on reactivating developmental signaling in the adult heart, using factors such as microRNA-294, LIN28a and UCP2 to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and repair. Our team also develops stem cell and extracellular vesicle–based therapies. 
• Hong Wang Lab: Applies metabolomics and transcriptomics to understand reprogramming and epigenetic regulation in chronic disease, including HDL metabolism. 
• Sheng Wu Lab: Examines androgen-driven organ-to-organ metabolic crosstalk, especially in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

These three labs connect metabolic signaling with regenerative medicine and uncover therapeutic strategies for cardiac and systemic health. 

Inflammation and immune crosstalk 

• Hong Wang Lab: Studies monocyte polarization in bone marrow, blood and organs, linking immune changes to systemic and organ-specific inflammation. 
• Jun Yu Lab: Investigates ER stress proteins that regulate autophagy and vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis and diabetes. 
• Rihab Bouchareb Lab: Explores how platelet signaling and diet-induced inflammation accelerate cardiovascular disease. 

This initiative highlights how immune-metabolic interactions drive chronic disease and points to new avenues for intervention.