Email

u254232@bcm.edu

Positions

Postdoctoral Associate

Pediatrics - Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine

Education

PhD from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

06/2023 - Shanghai, China

Professional Statement

The central objective of my research is to unravel the neurobiological mechanisms by which the brain regulates energy homeostasis and related physiological processes, with a particular focus on the interplay between neural circuits, glial cells and metabolic signaling. My work employs an integrative approach, combining advanced methodologies such as in vivo neural circuit manipulation (chemogenetics/optogenetics), single-cell transcriptomics, and behavioral phenotyping to dissect how molecular and cellular dynamics translate into systemic physiological outcomes.

Selected Publications

• Wang Y, Ying X, Chen L, Liu Y et al., Chen Z "Electroresponsive Nanoparticles Improve Antiseizure Effect of Phenytoin in Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures.." Neurotherapeutics. 2016 Jul; Pubmed PMID: 27137202
• Liu Y*, Shen X*, Zhang Y* et al., Tong X "Interactions of glial cells with neuronal synapses, from astrocytes to microglia and oligodendrocyte lineage cells.." Glia. 2023 Jun; Pubmed PMID: 36799296
• Liu H, Li VL, Liu Q, Liu Y, et al., He Y, Long JZ, Xu Y "Lac-Phe induces hypophagia by inhibiting AgRP neurons in mice.." Nat Metab.. 2025 Sep; Pubmed PMID: 40957996
• Zhang X*, Liu Y*, Hong X* et al., Tong X. "NG2 glia-derived GABA release tunes inhibitory synapses and contributes to stress-induced anxiety.." Nat Commun.. 2021 Sep; Pubmed PMID: 34593806