Faculty Profile

Research Focus

Dr. Lim's research focuses on the role of lifestyle factors and related metabolism in the development of cancers and dementias. She has conducted studies on biomarkers (blood biochemistry, imaging, DNA methylation, microbiome, and accelerometry) to assess exposure levels and likely mechanisms underlying the etiology and non-genetic health disparities. Dr. Lim’s research findings have underscored the importance and inter-relationships of diet quality, epigenetic alterations, ectopic adiposity, metabolic profiles, gut microbial patterns, functional health, and disease occurrence.

1. For the Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study I (MEC-APS1; PI: Le Marchand), Dr. Lim led the recruitment of ~1,860 participants and data collection for the imaging-based body composition research. She also led the recruitment of ~4,500 participants and data collection for additional gut microbiome research in the MEC.
2. In the APS1, Dr. Lim led the characterization of marked differences in body fat distribution and its metabolic impact across five racial and ethnic groups. Specifically, the total fat-adjusted relative amounts of visceral adipose tissue and hepatic fat were highest in East Asian Americans, followed by Latinos and Native Hawaiians, then Whites, and African Americans showing the lowest. The team demonstrated that 20-30% of racial/ethnic differences in prevalent metabolic syndrome were mediated by the differences in propensity for ectopic fat, independently of total adiposity.
3. Dr. Lim has contributed to over 30 publications from the APS1 and the obesity-related gut microbiome research, reporting on the inter-relationships of overall diet quality, gut microbial profiles, host metabolism, ectopic adiposity, hepatic steatosis, genetic and epigenetic variations, physical and cognitive health, and chronic disease (cancers, diabetes) risks, comparing the associations by sex and race/ethnicity.
4. Dr. Lim has led the APS2 study in follow-up, which is designed to determine the role of diet and mediating gut microbial features in the early progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
5. Dr. Lim has led the initiative to establish Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (AD/ADRD) research in the MEC, where >16,000 cases have been identified over the 20-year follow-up. The team has demonstrated that AD/ADRD risks vary across the populations in MEC: they detected higher risks in women than in men and a ~50% risk difference across the five racial/ethnic groups.
6. Dr. Lim and Dr. Song-Yi Park have led the estimation that about 24% of the ADRD cases are explained by known non-genetic risk factors in the MEC, and an additional ~12% by the APOE4 genotype. The team found that the population attributable fraction differs by race and ethnicity.
7. Dr. Lim and Dr. Song-Yi Park have led studies showing that practicing and adopting a healthy diet, even starting at an older age, is associated with a lower risk of developing AD/ADRD. The team found substantial variation in dietary practices by sex and race/ethnicity. They also observed that differences in gut microbial composition by race/ethnicity are in part mediated by differences in dietary patterns.

Dr. Lim accepts undergraduate students for research training mostly through the UH Cancer Center's CREATE summer internship program.  Interested students should inquire at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. about the CREATE program and application process.