Personal profile
Biography
Dr Kang gained her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China in 2001 and moved to the US to continue her graduate school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr Kang successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled “Chronic ethanol consumption disrupts both lipid and glucose homeostasis in rat adipose tissue” under the supervision of Professor Laura Nagy in 2007.
Dr Kang had her postdoctoral training with Professor David Wasserman at Vanderbilt University and was appointed as a research faculty member of Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in 2012. She was also the Managing Director of the Metabolic Pathophysiology Core of the Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Centre between 2012 and 2014.
Dr Kang moved to the UK and joined the faculty of the University of Dundee in April 2014. In this role, Dr Kang is establishing her independent research on understanding the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, focusing on studying the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling.
Research interests
My research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Emerging evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix (ECM) is of great potential significance in metabolic regulation and possibly is of pivotal significance for all metabolic diseases. By studying mice with specific mutations or mice overexpressing specific genes, my primary research interest centres on understanding the role of ECM remodelling in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and identifying novel and cost-effective ECM-centric therapeutic targets for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Insulin action in conscious, unstressed mice is studied by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. The research that is ongoing in my lab will provide new opportunities to explore therapeutics for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Teaching
Lecture teaching:
- Parmacology of Diabetes Treatment
- BSc Medical Sciences
- BMSc Cardiovascular and Diabetes
Research projects:
- PhD/MSc student supervision
- BSc honour projects
- BMSc research projects
- Summer projects
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Role Of Hyaluronan, CD44 And RHAMM In Obesity Related Kidney Disease - Summer Studentship
Kang, L. (Investigator)
Project: Research
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Quantification of Cardiac Fibrosis by Stain-Free Histology in Obese Insulin Resistant Mice
Kang, L. (Investigator)
Project: Research
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Defining Stromal Biology In The Pathogenesis Of Oesophageal Cancer To Create A Novel Biomarker Signature To Aid Diagnosis, Prognosis And Treatment Strategies
Kang, L. (Investigator), McLean, M. H. (Investigator) & Walsh, S. (Investigator)
15/05/23 → 14/02/26
Project: Research
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Ultra-High Definition Imaging - MRC Equipment Grant
Alessi, D. (Investigator), Banerjee, S. (Investigator), Cantley, J. (Investigator), Corner, G. (Investigator), Hayes, J. (Investigator), Hoskins, P. (Investigator), Kang, L. (Investigator), McNeilly, A. (Investigator), McSorley, H. (Investigator), Murdoch, C. (Investigator) & Rena, G. (Investigator)
1/11/22 → 31/03/23
Project: Research
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Eplerenone improves kidney function and cardiac performance in obese male mice
Banah, A. K., Qi, B., Koh, R., Lawlor, A., Wang, T., Musale, V., Mains, J., Murdoch, C. E. & Kang, L. (Lead / Corresponding author), Jan 2026, In: Diabetic Medicine. 43, 1, 14 p., e70154.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile55 Downloads (Pure) -
A Novel Role of Hyaluronan and its Membrane Receptors, CD44 and RHAMM in Obesity-Related Kidney Pathology
Qi, B., Musale, V., Weng, X., Banah, A., Lawlor, A., Murdoch, C., Lay, A. C., Heesom, K. J., Coward, R. J. M., O’Connor, C. L., Ju, W., Bitzer, M., Hills, C. E., Chen, Y. & Kang, L. (Lead / Corresponding author), 14 Nov 2025, In: Biomolecules. 15, 11, 23 p., 1598.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)40 Downloads (Pure) -
Genetic Deletion of RHAMM Alleviates Hepatic Oxidative Stress, Reversing Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Elevation in Male Obese Mice
Wang, T., Sun, H., Banah, A., Weng, X., Dayalan Naidu, S., Kisielewski, D., Ang, A., Hayes, J., Dinkova-Kostova, A. & Kang, L. (Lead / Corresponding author), 16 Sept 2025, In: Cells. 14, 18, 14 p., 1448.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)31 Downloads (Pure) -
Metformin attenuates O-GlcNAc modification to improve renal function via AMPK/mTOR signaling in diabetic nephropathy
Qi, B., Chen, Y., Lan, Y., Lou, Y., Cui, P., Yuan, R., Zhao, J., Chai, S., Kang, L., Zhou, G., Liu, S., Lu, X. (Lead / Corresponding author) & Huang, L.-H. (Lead / Corresponding author), Dec 2025, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 301, 12, 14 p., 110909.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)98 Downloads (Pure) -
O-Linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification: emerging pathogenesis and a therapeutic target of diabetic nephropathy
Qi, B., Chen, Y., Chai, S., Lu, X. & Kang, L., Feb 2025, In: Diabetic Medicine. 42, 2, 15 p., 15436.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile20 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)176 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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School of Medicine Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award 2023-24
Kang, L. (Recipient), 19 Mar 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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The Dundee Difference Awards 2023-24
Kang, L. (Recipient), 18 Jan 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Black History Month 2025: Standing Firm in Power & Pride
Mohan, A. (Organiser), Crowe, M. (Organiser), Mani, U. (Organiser), Jarron, M. (Organiser), Mains, S. (Organiser), Kalsoom, Q. (Organiser), Okonkwo, C. (Organiser), Gupta, S. (Organiser), Khan, Z. (Organiser), Kang, L. (Organiser) & Rogowsky, R. (Organiser)
26 Sept 2025 → 31 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Festival/Exhibition
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PhD Examination Magdalena Sovakova
Murdoch, C. (Examiner), Mody, N. (Examiner) & Kang, L. (Advisor)
8 Sept 2025Activity: Examination types › Examination
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