Professor Tan's research is in the field of lipidology and vascular biology. Another major research interest is in diabetes and its vascular complications. Along with her research team, she has focused on studying the pathophysiological role of post-translational modification derived products, such as advanced glycation end products, in the aging process and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and diabetic vascular complications. She is developing the use of these post-translational modification derived products as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.