Meet The Team
Shu Wang
Professor
Dr. Wang conducts innovative research in nutrition and nanomedicine. Her research focuses on using biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarriers and transdermal delivery approaches to enhance bioactivities of phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease and obesity. Learn more about Dr. Wang and her research here.
Fang Zhou
PhD Student
Fang is a PhD candidate at the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, under the supervision of Dr. Shu Wang. He earned his Master’s degree from the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University. His research focuses on dietary intervention in obesity and other chronic diseases, with in vivo and in vitro approaches.
Tiffany Peterson
Student Researcher
Tiffany is a Masters student with a B.S. in Medical Studies with a minor in Nutrition and Healthy Living at Arizona State University. During her time at ASU, she has primarily worked as a laboratory aide at the university while working as a research assistant for the Arizona Tobacco Control Program beginning in 2020. She wishes to continue in the field of research that focuses on chronic disease prevention and management, and is excited to work under the guidance of Dr. Wang and other senior lab members.
Merina Dahal
PhD Student
Merina is a PhD student in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University. She completed her Masters in Nutritional Science from ASU. She joined the lab in August 2023. She is working under the guidance of Dr. Wang in the research projects focused on the prevention and management of obesity and chronic diseases using in-vivo approaches.
Aysegul Kartal Acet
PhD Student
Aysegul is a PhD student in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University. She received both her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics from Hacettepe University in Turkey. Her research focuses on targeted therapies in the field of nanonutrition, with the goal of developing innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of obesity and other chronic diseases.
Former Members
Mehrnaz Abassi
Postdoc Fellow
Dr. Mehrnaz Abbasi conducts research in translational and innovative nutrition fields. She tries to combine nutrition with biochemistry, physiology, genetics, nanomedicine, and pharmaceutics for combating chronic/metabolic diseases. The overarching goal of her research is the prevention and treatment of nutrition associated metabolic and chronic diseases using combined novel approaches including nutrition and nano-drug delivery.
Qiaobin Hu
Postdoc Fellow
Dr. Hu focuses on physical and chemical interactions among various natural biomaterials and development of novel nanocarriers for applications in the food and nutrition.
Austin Taylor
Student Researcher
I just recently graduated with a BS degree in biomedical sciences and a minor in nutrition in healthy living! I’ve been working in the lab since August 2021 and have been a lab assistant since then. I have worked with Dr. Wang and Dr. Mehrnaz on their current mice studies and have been responsible for mice weights/measurements and body composition using Echo MRI. I have also spent a majority of my time on brain sectioning and imaging. I’ll be applying to medical schools this cycle and am pursuing a career in emergency medicine or trauma surgery. On the side, it’s been a long dream of mine to work on my skydiving license which I’ll be doing hopefully soon.
Jerryck Ordyna
Student Researcher
Hello, I’m Jerryck. I’ve been working in Dr. Wang’s lab for the last two years. I am currently working towards a bachelor's degree in both Biochemistry and Finance with the hopes of going to medical school. I love everything about science and how it helps answer many of life's unanswered questions. I love the outdoors and spending time with my family. When I am not in the lab or doing schoolwork I love reading and watching sports.
Gracie Swensen
Student researcher
I am a third year undergraduate at ASU studying Biomedical Sciences and Psychology with hopes to attend medical school or receive my PhD to work in biomedical research in the future. Working in Dr. Wang's lab has been extremely beneficial for me thus far, because it has allowed me to see the inside and bigger picture of medicine as we continue to develop medications for obesity and other chronic diseases. It has also allowed me to develop as an experimentalist and gain professional level skills that will be necessary for my future. I really enjoy working in Dr. Wang's lab and can't wait to see how the research continues to develop over the next couple of years!
Kim Ly
Student researcher
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) with a minor in Sociology. Currently, I am on the pre-health track and have plans of going into medicine after I graduate. I recently joined the lab in the Summer of 2022 and am looking forward to getting more involved in the different research projects being conducted!
Xinran Zhu
Research Technician
Xinran joined this lab in August, 2023. She graduated with a B.S. of Biological Science in Nanjing Normal University and M.S. of Biology in ShanghaiTech University. She also worked as research technician in University of Georgia for 6 months. Her previous researches are about organelle regulation and myoblast differentiation and fusion. Xinran now enjoys the research about the prevention and therapy for metabolic syndrome and the application of nanoparticles. She is looking forward to working under the instruction of Dr. Wang and other lab members and hope to make great friends with anyone!
Alec Bonaguidi
Student researcher
My name is Alec Bonaguidi and I am a graduate student. I am originally from Phoenix, Arizona. My academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from ASU, and I'm now pursuing my Masters in Nutritional Science. I have always been fascinated by the intricate relationship between chemistry, biology, and pathology and how nutrition can impact our bodies down to a cellular level. My ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between academia and real-life application by giving nutritional care in an outpatient private practice setting. When I'm not immersed in the world of nutrition and science, you can find me staying active in the gym, enjoying quality time with my pup, and trying new restaurants! I'm excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals and explore the boundless possibilities that science offers.
Eve Rennie
Student researcher
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