Dr. Yu’s research expertise includes 1) epidemiology and prevention of major chronic diseases through healthy diets and lifestyles, 2) novel biomarkers in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and 3) diet-gut microbiota interactions and host cardiometabolic health. Using large prospective cohort studies, Dr. Yu has identified novel dietary factors and biomarkers predictive of the risk and mortality of major chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, lung cancer, and dementia, among populations from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and geographic regions. As of December 2022, Dr. Yu has published 66 peer-reviewed original research articles, including 35 as the first- or corresponding- author. Dr. Yu has been the Principal Investigator of three NIH grants, including two R01s and one R21, and one USDA/RWJF grant. Meanwhile, Dr. Yu is dedicated to teaching and mentoring and actively contributes to international epidemiology research collaborations.