Yunhui Xu is the Molecular Pharmacology Highlighted Trainee Author for the March 2021 issue.  Dr. Xu was a postdoctoral fellow at Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Marshall University at the time of the manuscript preparation. Her mentor was Dr. Zijian Xie.  Dr. Xu is now a research assistant professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. The Molecular Pharmacology article that earned her selection as the Highlighted Trainee Author is titled “Biased Effect of Cardiotonic Steroids on Na/K-ATPase-Mediated Signal Transduction” and is available at   https://doi.org/10.1124/molpharm.120.000101.     

Dr. Xu is an interdisciplinary scientist with training in several scientific disciplines, including pharmaceutical chemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology. Her research concerns drug targets that include enzymes and nuclear receptors. Her research projects focus primarily on mechanistic studies of drug action using molecular, cell, tissue, and system level approaches.

The anticipated impact of Dr. Xu’s research is to expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug action with the ultimate goal to identify new compounds that are more efficacious with fewer side effects.  She is currently examining the complex nature of pirinixic acid metabolism that may lead to toxic metabolites; this work has implications in the treatment of alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis.

When not in the lab, Yunhui enjoys spending precious time with her family and friends.