Min Liu -  Zoonosis - Best Researcher Award

Shandong University - China

AUTHOR PROFILE

ORCID

EARLY ACADEMIC JOURNEY 🎓

Min Liu’s academic pursuits began with a firm foundation that matured into a passionate exploration of biological sciences. Born in February 1994, she charted a course that would lead her to the prestigious University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where she pursued a doctorate in Ecology from September 2020 to June 2023. Her early educational endeavors were marked by a deep interest in how organisms interact with their environments, particularly under thermal and dietary stresses. She immersed herself in studies of ecological mechanisms, animal physiology, and adaptive behavior. This foundational period not only sharpened her academic rigor but also positioned her at the interface of environmental science and biological function. Her doctoral work laid the groundwork for specialized research in adaptive thermogenesis and energy metabolism. With her current role as a postdoctoral researcher at Shandong University beginning in 2023, Min Liu transitioned seamlessly from a dedicated student into an emerging scholar. Her educational pathway reflects both discipline and vision—a testament to her growing influence in the field of physiological ecology.

PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH ENDEAVORS 🔬

Min Liu's professional trajectory is marked by robust engagement in cutting-edge ecological and physiological research. Since starting her postdoctoral work at Shandong University, she has taken the lead on prominent research initiatives, including the CPSF Fellowship project on the browning mechanism of white adipose tissue in Meriones unguiculatus and its implications for energy metabolism, as well as a Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation project exploring thermoregulation mechanisms in hot environments. These projects not only reflect her growing stature as a project leader but also illustrate her ability to bridge fundamental science with real-world biological applications. Her work examines how physiological traits, such as adipose tissue transformation, contribute to thermal adaptation, thus offering valuable insights into metabolic health and climate adaptability. Through these experiences, Min Liu has demonstrated her capability to lead complex scientific inquiries with clarity and rigor, aligning with global concerns about health, energy efficiency, and environmental responsiveness. Her active roles in such innovative research speak volumes of her methodological expertise and visionary leadership in biological sciences.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS AND FOCUS 🧠

Min Liu’s research is anchored in the intricate relationships between physiology, environment, and metabolic regulation. Her focus on adaptive thermogenesis, adipose tissue functionality, and energy metabolism underscores a highly interdisciplinary approach. Notably, her work on huddling behavior in Brandt’s voles illustrates how social behaviors can influence thermogenic outcomes—findings that deepen our understanding of survival strategies in cold environments. Another key area of her research explores the gut microbiota, particularly how dietary components like inulin affect gastrointestinal dynamics in large mammals such as Asian elephants. Her publications, which include articles in Microbiome, Frontiers in Microbiology, and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, reveal an ongoing commitment to investigating the physiological underpinnings of thermal and dietary adaptation. Whether examining the influence of high-fat diets on puberty or the effects of muscle gene recruitment in cold acclimation, her contributions reflect an insightful fusion of molecular biology, ecology, and biomedicine. This interdisciplinary perspective not only advances ecological physiology but also opens avenues for translational research in health and conservation biology.

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS AND RECOGNITION 📚

Min Liu’s growing reputation as a scientist is reflected in her steadily increasing presence in high-impact scientific journals. Her first-author and co-author publications span diverse topics—from the microbiological effects of dietary interventions to the genetic pathways influenced by thermogenic processes. Her recent acceptance in Cell & Bioscience for a study on huddling and thermogenesis in Brandt’s voles exemplifies her rising prominence. Collaborations with distinguished scientists like De-Hua Wang have also enriched her research credibility and exposed her work to broader academic audiences. Recognition through competitive grants, including from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, affirms the scholarly and practical merit of her projects. These accolades, alongside a record of impactful research outputs, are strong indicators of her role as a promising thought leader. Her research findings are not only academically significant but also contribute meaningful knowledge toward understanding organismal adaptation in a rapidly changing climate, thus earning both peer respect and institutional support.

IMPACT ON ECOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE 🌍

Min Liu’s work bridges ecological science and biomedicine, offering impactful insights into how animals adapt physiologically to environmental challenges. Her research on adipose tissue and thermogenesis informs both ecological theory and practical health sciences, especially in the context of metabolic diseases. By linking behavior and molecular function—as seen in her exploration of social thermoregulation in voles—she uncovers mechanisms that could influence the design of strategies to address energy balance in animals and possibly humans. Her studies on gut microbiota, influenced by diet and developmental timing, further reveal potential pathways for understanding obesity, growth disorders, and digestive health. Through these diverse yet interconnected themes, Min Liu’s work has laid the groundwork for applications in wildlife management, animal welfare, and even human health interventions. Her contributions also resonate with global efforts to better comprehend how living organisms adjust to increasingly extreme temperatures—a topic of urgent importance in the face of climate change. This fusion of ecological and biomedical relevance marks her research as both innovative and necessary.

LEGACY IN THE MAKING 🔭

Although still in the early stages of her career, Min Liu is already cultivating a legacy defined by intellectual curiosity, scientific integrity, and interdisciplinary reach. Her strategic engagement in high-impact research topics—ranging from adaptive thermogenesis to gut microbial ecology—demonstrates a long-term vision that bridges theory with real-world challenges. As a postdoctoral fellow, she is actively laying the foundation for future breakthroughs in ecological physiology. By contributing to both experimental models and applied research, she is setting standards that will influence future studies in environmental biology and metabolic adaptation. Her mentoring roles and collaborations signal her intent not only to contribute knowledge but also to build a thriving academic community around her work. This forward-looking ethos suggests that her scientific journey is one of enduring relevance. With her current momentum and institutional backing, Min Liu is well-positioned to become a leading figure in her field—one whose legacy will be measured by both scholarly output and the transformative insights her work brings to science and society.

FUTURE PROSPECTS AND SCIENTIFIC ASPIRATIONS 🚀

Looking ahead, Min Liu’s future in science appears both promising and impactful. With a strong foundation in physiology, ecology, and molecular biology, she is poised to further expand her research into emerging areas such as climate-resilient biology and metabolic health innovation. Her existing projects hint at a broader vision—using comparative physiology and environmental cues to inform both conservation efforts and medical science. Given her proficiency in translating laboratory insights into ecological contexts, she is uniquely positioned to tackle the challenges posed by global climate change, especially as they relate to thermoregulation, behavior, and energy metabolism. Beyond research, her aspirations likely include cultivating a robust academic presence through teaching, international collaboration, and policy advisory roles. With increasing global focus on sustainable health and environmental resilience, the relevance of her work is bound to grow.

NOTABLE  PUBLICATION

Title: Huddling behavior regulate adaptive thermogenesis in Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)
Authors: Min Liu; De-Sheng Zou; Xue-Ying Zhang; Dehua Wang
Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Title: Role of gut microbiota in the postnatal thermoregulation of Brandt’s voles
Authors: Tingbei Bo; Liqiu Tang; Xiaoming Xu; Min Liu; Jing Wen; Jinzhen Lv; Dehua Wang
Journal: Cell Reports

Title: Mechanism of inulin in colic and gut microbiota of captive Asian elephant
Authors: Tingbei Bo; He Liu; Min Liu; Qiyong Liu; Qingduo Li; Yipeng Cong; Yi Luo; Yuqi Wang; Bo Yu; Tianchun Pu et al.
Journal: Microbiome

Title: Recruitment of Muscle Genes as an Effect of Brown Adipose Tissue Ablation in Cold-Acclimated Brandt’s Voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)
Authors: Min Liu; Xueying; Chen-Zhu Wang; Dehua Wang
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Title: Effects of High-Fat Diet During Childhood on Precocious Puberty and Gut Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Tingbei Bo; Min Liu; Liqiu Tang; Jinzhen Lv; Jing Wen; Dehua Wang
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology