Mentor Areas
Dr. Liu's research focuses on biological processes in bone and on how they influence bone material, microstructures, and biomechanical properties in aging, disease and therapies. Her group utilizes state-of-the-art imaging, image analysis and mechanical modeling techniques to explore the mechanisms affecting mechanical functions of skeletons at different length scales in both animal models and clinical investigations. The ultimate goal of her lab is to translate the technologies and research findings from bench side to bedside to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Description:
During pregnancy and lactation, the increased calcium demand caused by fetal/infant growth induces substantial changes in maternal calcium metabolism. This affects a variety of physiological processes, including remodeling of the maternal skeleton. In particular, lactation is known to result in dramatic bone loss that is partially recovered following weaning.
However, the effects of pregnancy on maternal bone are controversial, and the precise mechanisms underlying both lactation bone loss and recovery post-weaning remain unknown. Using a rat model, combined with advanced in vivo µCT imaging techniques, our lab is working to answer some of these questions.
We hope that a better understanding of reproductive bone loss will lead to improved maternal health. Additionally, we aim to draw parallels between the normal, physiological bone loss that takes place during reproduction, which is largely reversible, and the pathophysiological, irreversible bone loss occurring in post-menopausal osteoporosis.
Preferred Qualifications
Responsibilities include rodent handling and image analysis.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.