Food Science (2025 - )

Degrees

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S., China Agricultural University
B.S., Huazhong Agricultural University

Research

Dr. Zhang's research program investigates how diet impacts human health, focusing on both host metabolism and microbial metabolism. Her long-term goal is to understand the diet-host-microbe interactions and uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying dietary influences in both health and disease contexts.

Using various in vitro and in vivo models, Dr. Zhang pursues two primary research directions. First, she examines the molecular mechanisms by which metabolites from edible fats and oils affect gut health, employing multi-omics techniques including lipidomics and metagenomics to identify key metabolites and enzymatic pathways. Second, she investigates how dietary bioactive compounds influence metabolic disorders, with particular emphasis on the gut microbiome's role in plant-based diets.

A distinctive feature of Dr. Zhang's program is the integration of sex-specific differences in metabolism and health outcomes. One size does not fit all. Dr. Zhang's research aims to advance personalized nutrition and individualized medication strategies that account for the complex interplay between diet, host biology, and the gut microbiome.