She has a broad research background in neuroscience, including studies on the roles of neuropeptides in spinal modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic nociception in rodent animal models. Over the past 13 years her interests have switched into the field of developmental biology, focusing on the development and maintenance of the tongue, taste papillae and taste buds. Using transgenic mouse models and embryo/organ/cell culture system, her research program includes (1) demonstration of neural crest contribution to taste bud cells; (2) characterization of how neural crest derived mesenchymal cells, via molecular signaling pathways, interact with the overlying epithelium for regulating the development and maintenance of taste papillae and taste buds.