Doctoral candidate Tianou “Tino” Zhang has been awarded a prestigious Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship for the 2016-2017 academic year from the University of Minnesota’s Graduate School.

Zhang’s research, “Dietary Antioxidant Protection against Inflammation in Exercise and Obesity,” is conducted in the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science. Zhang intends to research whether oats and olive oil supplementation can increase antioxidant capacity and reduce inflammation in heavy exercise and obesity. He is advised by LPHES lab director, Dr. Li Li Ji

The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) gives the University’s most accomplished doctoral candidates an opportunity to devote full-time effort to an outstanding research project by providing time to finalize and write a dissertation during the fellowship year. The award includes a stipend of $23,000 for the academic year (September-May), tuition for up to 14 thesis credits each semester (fall & spring), and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.