Associate Scientist
Mayank Choubey, Ph.D
Dr. Choubey is an Associate Scientist in our lab, dedicated to unraveling the molecular mechanisms of RXRα and NgBR in metabolic diseases. His research focuses on major health challenges, including MASLD/MASH, hepatic ferroptosis-induced fibrosis, and aging, with a strong emphasis on their interconnections with diabetes and obesity. Dr. Choubey’s research focuses on the pivotal role of RXRα in MASLD-associated cardiovascular disease, aiming to bridge gaps in knowledge and pave the way for innovative treatment strategies. With over five years of postdoctoral experience, he has significantly contributed to advancing our understanding of metabolic physiology in the liver and adipose tissue. During his tenure at Columbia University, he investigated the role of adipocyte CAMK2 deficiency in mitigating obesity-associated glucose intolerance, highlighting novel pathways for potential therapeutic interventions. Dr. Choubey earned his Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, India, where he explored the expression and physiological role of adiponectin in the testis, shedding light on diabetes-associated infertility issues during normal, aging and under pathophysiological conditions. He is an academic editor of the Journal of Diabetes Research (Wiley), Journal of Obesity (Wiley), and Topic Editor of Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Outside of the lab, Dr. Choubey enjoys playing tennis, working out, and exploring new destinations through travel, reflecting his passion for an active and balanced lifestyle.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Tirumalasetty is a postdoctoral fellow and skilled bioinformatician in our lab, specializing in the computational analysis of large biological data to uncover insights into metabolic diseases. With a strong foundation (Ph.D.) in Bioinformatics from Sri Venkateswara University, India, Dr. Tirumalasetty applies advanced computational techniques to analyze large-scale genomic and proteomic datasets, focusing on identifying molecular markers and pathways associated with diabetes, obesity, and related metabolic disorders. His expertise in integrating multi-omics data enables the lab to approach challenging research questions with precision, accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Dr. Tirumalasetty is dedicated to advancing the lab's mission of improving our understanding of metabolic health through innovative, data-driven research.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Mohammad Sarif Mohiuddin, M.D., Ph.D
Dr. Mohiuddin is a postdoctoral fellow in my lab. With his professional expertise as an endocrinologist, Dr. Mohiuddin concentrates his research efforts on the intricate realm of diabetes and its associated complications, specifically targeting vascular endothelial complications. He has demonstrated his scholarly prowess by disseminating his research findings through a plethora of notable publications in esteemed academic journals. He earned his Ph.D. from Aichi Medical University, Japan, where he investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying treatment strategies for neuronal cytotoxicity.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Rashu Barua received his BSc and MS from the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh. For his PhD, he moved to the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, where he worked with Professor Tetsuya Okajima to study the O-GlcNAcylation of Notch signaling pathway receptors by EOGT, which regulates pancreatic cancer metastasis. Shortly after completing his PhD, he joined the Miao lab, where his research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders. He is particularly interested in studying the role of the enzyme Acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2 (ACSS2) and how its regulation influences the progression of metabolic diseases. Additionally, he investigates the impact of high fructose corn syrup on metabolic health, liver function, and the gut microbiome. Proficient in genome editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, Rashu is also skilled in live-cell imaging, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and site-directed mutagenesis. He was awarded the prestigious MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship by the Japanese government to pursue his PhD from 2018 to 2022. In his free time, Rashu enjoys reading books, watching movies, and traveling.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Md. Wahiduzzaman's research focuses on understanding the biological functions of the NogoB receptor (NgBR) and its roles in human diseases, including metabolic, vascular, and liver disorders. He earned his Ph.D. from Aichi Medical University, Japan, where he investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying treatment strategies for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Currently, his work explores the role of NgBR in metabolic and vascular disorders, with a particular emphasis on its regulatory mechanisms in the liver. His studies aim to uncover how NgBR influences the nuclear translocation of the Liver X receptor (LXR), a key regulator of lipid metabolism and inflammation, while also investigating the epigenetic regulation of NgBR and its modulation of other pathways. Additionally, Dr. Wahiduzzaman is examining NgBR's involvement in vascular disorders to better understand its role in vascular health and disease progression. Utilizing a tissue-specific NgBR knockout (KO) mouse model, his research delves into NgBR's physiological and pathological functions, aiming to identify novel therapeutic strategies targeting NgBR for metabolic, vascular, and liver-related diseases.