Research Interest:
Understanding the molecular mechanism of endogenous and/or exogenous endocrine factors on the steroid hormone signaling system in variety of vertebrates is the major task of my research. Actual on-going experiment is separated into three parts:

1. Effects of steroid hormones or environmental contaminants on the sex determination in American alligator;
2. Environmental impacts on the sexual development, endocrine system and immune system in American alligator;
3. Comparative and molecular study of steroid hormone receptors in vertebrates.

Estrogens and other steroid hormones play essential roles on the development and homeostasis in vertebrates. The environmental contamination of chemicals widely spread, and it has been a global concern. Some of environmental contaminants have the potential to alter the endogenous endocrine system, especially steroid hormone signals. To understand the endocrine alteration and to eliminate it, the mechanisms of the alterations need to be investigated. American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, is one of the top predators in the wild, and the contaminants would be concentrated in their body by the bioaccumulation. Crocodilians including alligator are using the unique sex determination system called temperature-dependent sex determination. This sex determination is sensitive to the estrogens or estrogenic compounds, and it can be overwritten by them. Therefore, American alligator could be a great and unique model animal to investigate the influences of the environmental contaminants.
In addition, the functional investigation of the steroid hormone receptors needs to be done in the variety of vertebrates for understanding the impacts of widely spread contaminants. Moreover, since we have recently joined the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in MUSC, there is more possibility to collaborate and investigate the environmental impacts on the human reproductive health.