Xiaoxu Lin

• Fourth-Year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
• Student researcher in Martinot Lab studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis and how it may control its metabolism by regulating lipid production

Xiaoxu Lin is a fourth-year veterinary doctoral student in the laboratory of Amanda Martinot, DVM, MPH, PhD, at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, where she is investigating how Mycobacterium tuberculosis may control its metabolism by regulating lipid production. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health problem with 1.3 million people dying from the disease in 2020 alone.

Xiaoxu began her work with Dr. Martinot in 2023 a part of the Cummings Summer Research Training Program. Together they investigated the effect of a previously identified transcriptional activator gene, rv3208 (FasR), on the downstream lipid enzyme system Fas I expression in LprG-Rv1410 (ΔLprG) Mtb vaccine strain. Dr. Martinot’s previous studies had uncovered a potential gene that is responsible for lipid metabolism alteration, and Xiaoxu worked to understand the correlation between the gene expressions. The Martinot Lab believes that the way Mycobacterium tuberculosis controls its metabolism may be important for how the bug develops antimicrobial resistance—hence Xiaoxu’s current project.

Xiaoxu grew up in China and has had a longstanding interest in microbiology and infectious diseases, which ultimately sparked a desire to better understand the antimicrobial resistance public health crisis. She came to the United States to major in Zoology (pre-veterinary path) at Colorado State University. There, she received microbiology laboratory training and developed an interest in infectious diseases in zoological settings.

Away from lab, Xiaoxu has served as President of the Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals (AAVMP) Student Chapter at Cummings until this year. She is passionate about employing inclusion and diversity into veterinary medicine, developing networking and professional development opportunities for others, and providing fellow students with the resources they need for career advancement.

Xiaoxu’s hobbies include outdoor adventures, traveling, rock climbing, and cooking. She also loves to spend time with her two cats, Sesame and Mochi.

Xiaoxu is now completing her fourth-year veterinary clinical rotation, where she has developed an interest in small-animal emergency medicine as well as in general practice. Building up on what she has already learned, she hopes to open a daily veterinary medical practice where she will apply her knowledge of infectious diseases prevention.