Hongwei Si

Hongwei Si is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture, where he has conducted research since joining the faculty in 2010. His work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bioactive food compounds in preventing chronic diseases and promoting healthy aging.

His academic credentials include:

• D.V.M. from Gansu Agricultural University
• M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology from Gansu Agricultural University
• Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Professor Si's research investigates how nutrients and lifestyle interact to influence health, with emphasis on bioactive compounds for preventing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. His laboratory employs cellular and animal models to study signaling pathways like NF-kappa B and PPAR-gamma, exploring how substances such as genistein, EGCG, resveratrol, and luteolin combat vascular inflammation and metabolic disorders. This work bridges nutritional science with molecular pharmacology to develop dietary strategies for healthy aging.

His publication record (2010-2015) reveals consistent focus on natural compounds' effects on vascular health and longevity, with increasing emphasis on combinatorial approaches (e.g., genistein + EGCG + resveratrol) and translational models from cell cultures to diabetic mice. The research spans lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and immune modulation, primarily published in high-impact nutrition and biochemistry journals.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Outstanding Young Researcher Award from Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture (2013)
• Hepler Fellowship from Virginia Tech (2007)
• John Lee Pratt Fellowship from Virginia Tech (2004-2007)

As an active investigator, Professor Si has secured multiple USDA-funded projects as Principal Investigator, including studies on cocoa epicatechin's lifespan effects (TENX-1506-FS), American ginseng for childhood obesity (TENX-2011-0255), and combinatorial phytochemicals for vascular inflammation (Soy Health Research Program). He teaches core nutrition courses such as Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (NUFS 4560), Life Span Nutrition (NUFS 3350), and Clinical Nutrition (NUFS 4520), integrating his research into classroom instruction on dietary interventions for chronic diseases.