Chi Zhou, PhD
Chi Zhou is an Assistant Professor at the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Science with an emphasis in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Alberta, CANADA. She then completed postdoctoral training at the Perinatal Research Labs, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fetal endothelial dysfunction that associate with complicated pregnancies.
Cancer Focus
Our lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the fetal sex-specific dysregulation of fetal endothelial function (such as disturbed angiogenesis in response to TNF-α, lipid metabolism, immune-endothelial interaction, etc.) in complicated pregnancies, and the maternal obesity-associated fetal endothelial dysfunction and future health risks of the offspring. Our research utilizing multiple model systems including human placenta tissue, human cell models, and in vivo animal models. Results from our research will provide new insights into discovering novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets for sex-specific endothelial dysregulation in children born to complicated pregnancies that associated with maternal obesity and environmental exposure.