Shinghua Ding

Shinghua Ding is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Missouri and an investigator at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center. He holds the Cramer W. LaPierre Professorship in Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering and leads a research program focused on the intersection of metabolism and neuroscience.

Education:

• PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo
• BS, Zhejiang University of Technology, China

His research centers on glial cell function, neuron-glia interactions, and the role of the NAMPT-NAD+ metabolic axis in neurodegenerative conditions such as ischemic stroke and ALS. Using advanced techniques like in vivo two-photon imaging and stem cell models, his lab investigates neural degeneration, regeneration, and ion channel modulation. His work has revealed critical links between NAD+ synthesis and neuronal survival.

The recent analysis of his publications shows a strong focus on metabolic neuroscience, particularly the role of NAD+ in motor neuron diseases and brain injury. His studies combine molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to uncover disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets, especially in previously unrecognized genetic disorders affecting neural function.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH $2.3 million grant for investigation of a previously unknown genetic neurological disease

Professor Ding has been consistently supported by the National Institutes of Health, culminating in a recent five-year, $2.3 million award to investigate a novel genetic disease causing paralysis and muscle atrophy. His lab utilizes mouse models and human skin cell-derived stem cells to study disease mechanisms and progression. He collaborates with international physician scientists, translating basic findings into clinical insights. His research has significant implications for treating debilitating diseases like Parkinson’s and ALS.

He is affiliated with the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, where he contributes to interdisciplinary research on brain injury and neurovascular disorders. His team integrates biochemical, genetic, and imaging approaches to advance understanding of neural metabolism and disease.