About
Ling is an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Neurology. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Motivated by personal experiences with cancer in her family, Ling started her postdoctoral training in Cancer Biology at Stanford University, aiming to find cures of this disease of “bad cells”. Somewhere along the way, her focus shifted towards exploring the regenerative capabilities of tissue-resident stem cells, the “good cells”, and the impact of aging on their function.
Ling is a pioneer in isolating muscle stem cells from mice and has spearheaded many studies to understand their epigenetic characteristics and regulation. She will continue to use a multi-omics approach to delineate the complex interactions among diverse cell types in skeletal muscle, which are crucial for maintaining muscle health and the overall organismal health.
In her view, Ling considers herself a paradigm shifter, unafraid of hypotheses that may veer off course. Beyond her research, Ling enjoys running and cooking. She relishes being an adventurous foodie, and her motivation for exercise lies in the delightful calorie from her culinary explorations.
Research Areas: Epigentic and metabolic mechanisms of aging, Muscle regeneration, Modulation of inflammation by physical exercise