Food Science and Human Nutrition Department

Zhiyong Cheng, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Human Nutrition

Office: FSHN 265

Phone: 352.294.3728

Biography

Dr. Cheng studies the mechanisms of nutrient and hormonal signals regulating metabolism at molecular level. Specifically, his research seeks to address how autophagy (a cellular remodeling process) regulates adiposity and metabolism, and how environmental factors (e.g., diets or nutrients) regulate epigenetic pathways in metabolic health and disease. His long-term goal is to develop mechanism-based strategies for disease treatment or prevention. Dr. Cheng teaches Nutrition and Metabolism (HUN 4221), Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Nutrition (HUN 4813C), Macronutrients in Human Nutrition (HUN 6235), and Nutritional Epigenomics (HUN 4936/HUN 6936). In his teaching activities, Dr. Cheng sets high priority for building students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Dr. Cheng's lab seeks to define the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic derangements in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, we study the regulatory network of FoxO and autophagy that mediate adipose development and expansion. We are also interested in the epigenetic regulation of metabolism and the role of environmental factors (e.g., nutrient and hormonal signaling). The long-term goal of Dr. Cheng’s research is to develop mechanism-based therapeutics for metabolic disorders.

American Diabetes Association Postdoctoral Fellow (Endocrionology & Metabolism), Harvard Medical School, 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow (Enzymology), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2006
Ph.D. (Analytical Biochemistry), Peking University, 2003

Undergraduate

HUN 4221 Nutrition and Metabolism
HUN 4813C Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Nutrition
HUN 4936 Nutritional Epigenomics
IDS 2935 Personalized Nutrition (co-instructor)

Graduate

HUN 6235 Macronutrients in Human Nutrition (co-instructor)
HUN 6936 Nutritional Epigenomics

Dr. Cheng’s lab welcomes motivated students to apply for (a) graduate assistantship positions, and (b) undergraduate research training positions.