Dr. Chang leads a research group focused on studying intestinal microbes and their interactions with the host. This relationship is fundamental to human health, and its disruption can have profound consequences. Dr. Chang’s work explores how environmental and lifestyle changes over the past century may have altered the human microbiome, contributing to the rise of “new age” disorders such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. In genetically susceptible individuals, these shifts can disrupt immune and metabolic homeostasis, potentially triggering the onset of disease.
The Chang Lab is dedicated to understanding the factors that influence the selection and assembly of intestinal microbial communities, with the goal of harnessing this knowledge to reshape the enteric microbiome for disease prevention and treatment. The team employs cutting-edge approaches, including cultivation-dependent and -independent microbial analysis, genetically modified and gnotobiotic mouse models, metabolic and functional profiling, and advanced bioinformatics to investigate both the host and the microbiome.
For more information, visit the laboratory website: http://changlab.uchicago.edu/
Microbially derived glutathione from Eubacterium rectale alleviates oxidative stress and promotes intestinal epithelial recovery.
Microbially derived glutathione from Eubacterium rectale alleviates oxidative stress and promotes intestinal epithelial recovery. Microbiome. 2026 08 04; 14(1).
PMID: 42563165
Dietary Vitamin D Insufficiency Aggravates High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis Associated with Reduced Hepatic SIRT1 Activity and Nrf2-Related Antioxidant Gene Expression in Male C57BL/6J Mice.
Dietary Vitamin D Insufficiency Aggravates High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis Associated with Reduced Hepatic SIRT1 Activity and Nrf2-Related Antioxidant Gene Expression in Male C57BL/6J Mice. Nutrients. 2026 Jul 31; 18(15).
PMID: 42588104
Maternal trans-vaccenic acid shapes neonatal T cell development and early-life immune imprinting.
Maternal trans-vaccenic acid shapes neonatal T cell development and early-life immune imprinting. Science. 2026 Jun 18; 392(6804):eaea4041.
PMID: 42313977
Artificial intelligence-driven donor-recipient gut microbiome matching for optimized fecal microbiota transplantation.
Artificial intelligence-driven donor-recipient gut microbiome matching for optimized fecal microbiota transplantation. Cell Rep. 2026 May 26; 45(5):117301.
PMID: 42061404
From gut dysbiosis to eubiosis: understanding microbiome recovery as an ecological process.
From gut dysbiosis to eubiosis: understanding microbiome recovery as an ecological process. Gut Microbes. 2026 Dec 31; 18(1):2649448.
PMID: 42021054
Short-term sleep restriction in humans alters diurnal circulating metabolite profiles, including those of microbial origin.
Short-term sleep restriction in humans alters diurnal circulating metabolite profiles, including those of microbial origin. J Clin Invest. 2026 Mar 16; 136(6).
PMID: 41837293
Identification of antimicrobial peptides from ancient gut microbiomes.
Identification of antimicrobial peptides from ancient gut microbiomes. Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 14; 17(1):1788.
PMID: 41535683
MOMMY study profile: An integrative early-life multi-omics cohort in China.
MOMMY study profile: An integrative early-life multi-omics cohort in China. IMetaOmics. 2025 Dec; 2(4):e70068.
PMID: 41676450
Impact of excluding internal mammary node coverage on musculoskeletal dosimetry in breast radiotherapy.
Impact of excluding internal mammary node coverage on musculoskeletal dosimetry in breast radiotherapy. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol. 2026 Jan; 56:101077.
PMID: 41377100
Incorporating HTA and VR Simulation to Teach Trainees in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Approaches.
Incorporating HTA and VR Simulation to Teach Trainees in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Approaches. Laryngoscope. 2026 02; 136(2):616-621.
PMID: 41070633
Takeda Distinguished Scientist Award
Takeda, Inc.
2014
National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease Advisory Council
National Institutes of Health
2013 - 2017
AGA Outstanding Mentorship award
American Gastroenterological Association
2013
AGA Academy of Educators
American Gastroenterological Association
2013
NIH Merit Award
National Institutes of Health
2008 - 2018