CAO Huiling

CAO Huiling is an Associate Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). She is a National Outstanding Young Scientist and Shenzhen Overseas High-level Talent. Her research focuses on skeletal development, bone homeostasis, and related diseases, as well as glucose and fat metabolism.

Education:

• PhD in Immunology (Joint Program, Tianjin Medical University & University of Pittsburgh), 2004–2010
• MD in Laboratory Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, 1999–2004

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of osteoblast, osteoclast, and chondrocyte differentiation
• Role of adhesion proteins (Kindlin-2, Migfilin, Pinch1/2) in skeletal biology
• Glucose and lipid metabolism regulation
• Cross-talk between bone and extra-skeletal tissues

Scientific Awards:

• 2016 ASBMR Young Investigator Travel Grant
• 2012 Chinese National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Nomination
• 2012 Tianjin Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award
• 2011 ASBMR Young Investigator Award
• 2011 ICBMR Young Investigator Award
• 2010 Tianjin Medical University Excellent PhD Graduate Award

Grants & Leadership:

• Principal Investigator, NSFC-Excellent Young Scientists Fund
• NSFC-General Program and Young Scientists Fund
• Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory Projects
• Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission Projects

Advising & Mentorship: Supervises doctoral and master’s students; former students have received national scholarships and NSFC awards.

Patents & Books: Holds 6+ patents related to Kindlin-2 in metabolic and skeletal diseases; co-authored 2 monographs.