The goal of the proposed research is to investigate the role of hepatic stellate cell in maintaining liver homeostasis. Specifically, we’re to explore the role of hepatic stellate cell in regulating liver mass through autophagy. I have a broad background in hepatic stellate cells and liver autophagy, with specific training and expertise in key research areas for this project. As a PhD student, I used different models to understand hepatic stellate cell activation. As a postdoctoral fellow, I studied the impact of autophagy in liver differentiation and carcinogenesis in Dr. Scott Friedman’s lab, the world’s leading lab in liver research. Afterwards, I broadened my background in the mechanistic study of caner progression and I gained a wide range of molecular biology skills.