Weiqin Chen

Weiqin Chen, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia. With a focus on metabolic regulation and diseases, their work bridges adipose biology, cardiac metabolism, and hepatic pathophysiology.

• Education: PhD in Molecular Genetics (Michigan State University, 2005), MS in Microbiology (China Agricultural University, 1999), BS in Microbiology (Nanjing Agricultural University, 1995)

Research Interests:

• Adipose biology and energy balance in obesity and lipodystrophy
• Cardiac substrate utilization in heart failure
• Lipid metabolism in liver pathophysiology

Recent Research Trends: Recent publications highlight investigations into neddylation, HDAC9, AGPAT3, and BSCL2/Seipin, linking posttranslational modifications and genetic factors to adipocyte differentiation, lipid catabolism, and metabolic cardiomyopathy. These studies employ genomics, proteomics, and murine models to address cardiometabolic diseases.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Outstanding Young Basic Science Faculty Award (2017)
• Eugenia Rosenberg Travel Award (2013)
• Medical Student Sponsor Award (2013)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships (2008, 2006)
• DuVall Award, Michigan State University (2004)

Students and Lab Personnel: The lab actively recruits research assistants, undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Current lab members include Hongyi Zhou, PhD (Assistant Research Scientist), Mousumi Baruah (Postdoctoral Fellow), Gavin Feinberg (Undergraduate Student), and Xuelei Zhao (Temporary Paraprofessional).

Grants and Collaborations: Recent projects include NIH-funded studies on posttranslational modifications in adipose biology (NIDDK, 2023-2026) and cardiac metabolism (NHLBI, 2016-2026).