Dr. Chen Xiaoli is a distinguished scholar and leader in molecular nutrition with significant contributions to understanding the biochemical pathways linking diet and metabolic health. She currently serves as Professor and General Mills Chair in Genomics for Healthful Foods in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, where she has built a nationally recognized research program over nearly two decades. Beginning her independent academic career in 2005, Dr. Chen has established herself as an authority in nutrient-gene interactions and molecular mechanisms of food components on metabolic health. Her strategic vision for nutritional science has positioned her department at the forefront of research connecting food science with human health outcomes.
Dr. Chen's groundbreaking research program focuses on the role of key proteins in adipose tissue metabolism, particularly examining how Lipocalin 2 regulates phospholipid metabolism in adipose mitochondrial bioenergetics. Her NIH-funded investigations have established critical connections between nutritional factors and metabolic pathways, with her work on Pentraxin 3 revealing protective mechanisms against adipose tissue inflammation and age-related degeneration. These discoveries have significant implications for understanding obesity-related metabolic disorders and developing targeted nutritional interventions. Her research on dietary omega-3 fatty acids in epigenetic control of gut health represents an innovative approach to understanding how food components influence gene expression and metabolic regulation.
Dr. Chen's scholarly contributions extend beyond the laboratory as she actively contributes to advancing global sustainability goals through nutrition science, with her work directly supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. She continues to lead innovative research through multiple active projects, including her most recent NIH-funded work examining Lipocalin 2's role in adipose metabolism that extends through 2025. As a mentor and scientific leader, she has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to impactful careers in academic, industry, and government nutrition science positions. Current investigations in her laboratory are focused on translating molecular discoveries into practical applications for improving metabolic health through food-based interventions, cementing her legacy as a bridge between fundamental biochemistry and practical nutritional solutions.
