Pi-Ling Chang, PhD is an Associate Professor of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dr. Chang received her baccalaureate degree in Natural Sciences and Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago. After serving as an instructor in the Department of Biochemistry at the King Saud University, Scientific College for Girls in Saudi Arabia for 5 years, she returned to the United States and earned her doctorate degree in Nutrition Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Charles Prince at UAB. Dr. Chang’s major research interest focuses on understand how a normal cell develops into a tumor cells in the context of alteration in the cellular microenvironment triggered by external stresses. Specifically, how an elevation of a matricellular protein promote or facilitate a normal cells exposed to carcinogens, tumor promoters or ultraviolet radiation) transform into benign and subsequently, malignant tumors. More recently, Dr. Chang is also investigating novel rexinoids, RXR agonists, in collaboration with UAB chemists and physicians, for the potential treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, a rare disease with increasing incidence. Besides on-going research, Dr. Chang is teaching several courses in the department of Nutrition Sciences.
