Liping Zhao is professor of microbiology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Mike and many expert guests have quoted Dr. Liping’s research.  He had already begun work on the microbiota when he read a paper on the microbiome and fat storage. He had been obese for nearly 15 years by then.  Dr. Liping was inspired. He shifted the focus of his research to how the microbiome may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases: obesity and diabetes. Both of these are important health issues in China.