Jianli Zhao

Dr. Jianli Zhao is an Assistant Professor and Physiological Core Director of Animal Models in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, jointly affiliated with the School of Engineering and Heersink School of Medicine. His research focuses on cardiovascular complications of diabetes, molecular mechanisms of ischemic injury, and adipokine signaling pathways.

Primary research interests include:

• Molecular basis of diabetic cardiovascular complications
• Cellular mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury
• Adiponectin signaling in cardioprotection
• Nicotine-induced vascular dysfunction
• Therapeutic strategies for heart failure

Dr. Zhao's recent publications (2021-2023) demonstrate consistent focus on molecular cardiology, diabetic vasculopathy, and cardiac protection mechanisms. Key themes include adipokine regulation, oxidative stress pathways, exosome-mediated intercellular communication, and novel therapeutic targets for ischemic heart disease.

As director of the Physiological Core of Animal Models, he oversees preclinical research infrastructure supporting cardiovascular investigations across the institution.