The Han lab uses Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models to study diverse biological problems related to animal development, stress response, nutrient sensing and human disease, by applying both genetic and biochemical methods.

Our current focus has been on identifying and analyzing mechanisms by which animals sense the deficiency of specific nutrients, including lipids, nucleotides and micronutrients, and regulate development, reproductivity, and food-related behaviors. 

We are also investigating the roles of non-canonical activities of caspases in modulating gene expression for animal development and stress responses.