Research Assistant I - Metabolism

One Research Assistant position is available in Dr. Yi Zhu's lab ( https://www.bcm.edu/research/faculty-labs/yi-zhu-lab ) in the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at the Baylor College of Medicine. The objective of the research in Dr. Yi Zhu's laboratory is to understand the basic biology of the adipose tissue and the liver in the effort to develop new concepts and biologics to treat diseases related to over-nutrition. Currently, our focused research areas are: 1) The gap junction-dependent and -independent functions of the Connexin43 protein in adipocyte metabolism, adipokine secretion, milk production, and the communication of adipocytes with other types of cells within the depot. We apply basic scientific discoveries to develop biologics that concurrently engage adipocyte metabolism and gap junction activity to improve the efficacy of the starting molecule. (Cell Metab. 2016, 24, 420-433, and APSB. 2022, In Press); 2) Hyaluronic acid (HA) production, hepatic clearance, and its role in modulating metabolism and liver fibrogenesis. We place a special emphasis on the effects of HA in modulating the immune function of the liver during the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its role in intrahepatic communication among hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and stellate cells. (Sci. Trans Med. 2016, 8, 323ps4, Matrix Biol. 2019, 78-79, 284-291, and Nat. Commun. 2021, 12 (1), 1-15.)

Job Duties

• Plans, directs, and conducts research experiments.
• Evaluates and analyzes data, manage on-line data repositories.
• Manages related technical staff for operation of the animal colony.
• Redeploy new existing techniques for experiments and performs applications required for specific research projects.
• Assists in completion and publication of ‘orphan' lab projects.
• Oversees the maintenance of lab equipment and environment.
• Coordinates and completes administrative duties such as ordering, computer assignments, organization, etc.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a basic science or a related field with a minimum of one year of research experience.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

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