Ph.D., Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition. University of California, Berkeley. December, 2002.
Bachelor of Medicine, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, July, 1993.

Dr. Zhao’s research focus on the impact of dietary factors (dietary fatty acids and dietary polyphenols) on immune responses and disease. In collaborations with Dr. Daniel Hwang and Dr. Sean Adams, she is investigating the roles of inflammation in the development of obesity and insulin resistance using transgenic mouse models and the protective effects of dietary factors (polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols) in alleviating inflammation and chronic conditions.

Zhao, L., MJ Kwon, S. Huang, J.Y. Lee, K. Fukase, N. Inohara and DH Hwang (2007). Differential Modulation of Nods Signaling Pathways by Fatty Acids in Human Colonic Epithelial HCT116 cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry 282(16):11618-11628.

Weatherill, AR, J.Y. Lee, L. Zhao, D. Lemay and DH Hwang (2005) Saturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Reciprocally Modulated Cytokine Expression, Maturation, and T cell Activation Capabilities of Dendritic Cells Mediated Through Toll-like Receptors Journal of Immunology 174:5390-5397.

Kim, KH, L. Zhao, Y. Moon, C. Kang, HS Sul (2004) Dominant Inhibitory Adipocyte-specific Secretory Factor (ADSF)/Resistin Enhances Adipogenesis and Improves Insulin Sensitivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101(17):6780-6785.

Lee, J.Y., L. Zhao, HS Youn, AR Weatherill, R. Tapping, L. Feng, WH Lee, KA Fitzgerald and DH Hwang (2004) Saturated Fatty Acid Activates but Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Inhibits Toll-Like Receptor 2 Dimerized with Toll-Like Receptor 6 or 1. Journal of Biological Chemistry 279(17):16971-16979.

Lee, J.Y., Z. Gao, HS Youn, WH Lee, L. Zhao, S. Nywana, DH Hwang (2003) Reciprocal Modulation of Toll-like receptor-4 Signaling Pathways Involving MyD88 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT by Saturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Journal of Biological Chemistry 278(39):37041-37051.

Zhao, L., B. Mei, L. Chen and HS Sul (2002) Only the Large Soluble Form of Preadipocyte Factor-1, but not the Small Soluble and Membrane Forms, Inhibits Adipocyte Dfferentiation. Biochemical Journal 364,137-144.

Sul, HS, C.M. Smas, B. Mei, L. Zhao (2000) Functional of Pref-1 as an Inhibitor of Adipocyte Differentiation. International Journal of Obesity 24, S15-S19 Suppl.

Zhao, L., F. Gregoire and HS Sul (2000) Transient Induction of ENC-1, a Kelch-related Actin-binding Protein, is required for 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 275: 16845-16850.

Sul, HS, C.M. Smas, B. Mei, L. Zhao (2000) Pref-1 Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation. Adipocyte Biology and Hormone Signaling Ed. Ntambi, J. M. IOS Press. pp185-200.

Smas, C.M., L. Chen, L. Zhao, MJ Latasa and HS Sul (1999) Transcription Repression of Preadipocyte Factor-1 by Glucocorticoids Promotes 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 274: 12632-12641.

Carpenter, KJ, and L. Zhao (1999) Forgotten Mysteries in the Early History of Vitamin D. Journal of Nutrition 129: 923-927.