Dr. Liao joined the University of California of Riverside as a founding faculty member of the Bioengineering Department. Dr. Liao’s research at UCR has been focused on the host–virus interaction and the development of novel highly sensitive and quantitative FRET(qFRET) technology platforms for basic and translational research and development in SUMOylation and other protein–protein interactions. Prior to joining UCR, Dr. Liao held joint appointments as a senior research fellow at the Genomic Institute of Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) and the Scripps Research Institute. Prior to that, Dr. Liao joined GNF as the Principal Investigator and the Founding Scientist of the GPCR platform. The HTS led by Dr. Liao and the subsequent characterizations of EDG1-specific agonist have led to the discovery of a novel S1P1 agonist (SEW2871), which subsequently led to the use of the drug ozanimod in Receptos that Celgene and BMS, and Siponimod from Novartis acquired. Dr. Liao’s work has led to more than 60 publications and 26 patents.