Dr. Adrian Lynn Oblak's research lab focuses on understanding how environmental factors, particularly air pollution and certain fungi, influence the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lab investigates the role of peripheral immune cells, which are crucial in responding to pollutants, in exacerbating AD neuropathology. Through their studies, they aim to identify potential biological mechanisms that connect lung health and brain function, with the goal of finding ways to mitigate the impacts of these exposures on Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Sid E. O'Bryant's research lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's Disease, particularly how it affects different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The lab's primary project, the Health & Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities (HABS-HD), collects and analyzes a variety of data to investigate how biological, social, and environmental factors contribute to health disparities in Alzheimer's. Through this work, they aim to improve prevention and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's Disease that are tailored to diverse populations.

Dr. Abhijit A Date's lab at the University of Arizona focuses on developing more effective treatments for ocular herpes simplex virus infections, which are a major cause of blindness. The lab is particularly interested in repurposing an existing antiviral drug, adefovir dipivoxil, to create long-acting formulations that improve patient compliance. By using innovative strategies such as nanosuspensions, the lab aims to enhance how this medication is delivered to the eye, ensuring better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Chang-Guo Zhan's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for opioid use disorder, particularly in cases where patients are also using stimulants like methamphetamine. The team is investigating a novel protein that modifies ghrelin—an important peptide in the brain’s reward system—to help reduce the rewarding effects of drugs, potentially leading to more effective therapies for addiction. Their research aims to provide safer options for those struggling with substance use disorders.

Marta Filizola's research lab focuses on developing safer opioids to combat the opioid crisis by better understanding how different drugs interact with opioid receptors. By combining advanced computational models and experimental imaging techniques, the lab seeks to discover pain-relieving medications that have fewer side effects than traditional opioids. This research is crucial for creating new therapies that can help patients manage pain effectively while minimizing the risks of addiction and overdose.

Dr. Cesare Orlandi's lab at the University of Rochester focuses on understanding orphan G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), particularly GPR156, which is important for hearing and balance. The lab aims to identify both synthetic and naturally occurring compounds that can activate these receptors. This research could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders by exploring the underlying biology of these receptors and their interactions in the nervous system.

Dr. Joanna Burdette's lab studies ovarian cancer, specifically the interactions between the ovaries and fallopian tubes and how ovulation influences cancer development. They use advanced models to examine how hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can impact tumor growth and migration. By developing innovative technologies, they aim to uncover ways to prevent and treat high-grade serous ovarian cancer, which is among the most deadly types of ovarian cancer.

Dr. Douglas Oyler's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on improving pain management strategies for adolescents and young adults after dental procedures. The lab aims to reduce opioid prescriptions through innovative educational interventions and by providing effective non-opioid alternatives. This work is crucial for lowering the risk of opioid misuse and fostering safer pain management practices within dental care.

Dr. Sophie Paczesny's research lab focuses on improving the prediction and understanding of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) through innovative machine learning techniques. By analyzing blood samples from transplant patients, the lab aims to identify specific biomarkers that can indicate who is at risk of developing cGVHD and enhance early treatment strategies. This work is vital for personalizing therapies and improving outcomes for patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Dr. Volker Neugebauer's lab focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms behind chronic pain, especially how the brain's emotional centers contribute to this condition. By studying the interplay between neurons and glial cells in the amygdala, the lab aims to identify new strategies for treating chronic pain. The research combines techniques from molecular biology to electrophysiology, providing insights into how neuroimmune interactions influence pain perception and emotional responses.

Dr. Prakash Radhakrishnan's lab focuses on understanding the role of specific carbohydrate antigens in pancreatic cancer, which is a highly aggressive form of cancer. They aim to develop new treatments that target a molecule called Tn antigen, which is present in high levels in pancreatic cancer cells. By using a combination of advanced antibody therapies and traditional cancer drugs, the lab hopes to improve survival rates for patients with this fatal disease.

Dr. Hamideh Parhiz's lab focuses on developing innovative nanotechnology to improve drug delivery for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Through the use of lipid nanoparticles that can deliver modified mRNA, the lab aims to target specific lung cells to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Their research is particularly relevant given the rising incidence of ARDS and aims to provide new treatment avenues to reduce mortality rates.

Dr. Haesuk Park's lab focuses on improving screening for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in emergency departments, especially among individuals at high risk. They are developing a new screening tool called HepC-EnD that uses advanced machine learning and natural language processing to identify at-risk patients and seamlessly integrate this tool into electronic health records. This research aims to reduce the number of undiagnosed HCV cases and improve patient care by linking individuals to effective treatments and minimizing the transmission risks related to co-infections like HIV.

Dr. Mansoor A Khan's lab focuses on improving medication delivery systems for pediatric patients, particularly in the treatment of HIV and toxoplasmosis. By utilizing advanced 3D printing techniques, the lab aims to create flexible dosage forms that are tailored to children's needs, addressing critical gaps in current medication formulations. This innovative approach seeks to enhance patient adherence to therapy by providing age-appropriate and effective delivery systems.

Dr. Alexander S. Mankin's lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago focuses on understanding and enhancing antibacterial peptides produced by honeybees and fruit flies. These peptides, known for their ability to inhibit bacterial growth by stopping protein synthesis, hold potential for developing new antibiotics. The lab employs various techniques to explore how these peptides work and to create more effective derivatives.

Dr. Jianing Li's lab at Purdue University focuses on developing innovative peptide-based therapies for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). By using advanced generative artificial intelligence (AI), the lab aims to design more effective and safer peptide drugs that can better target the causes of these diseases. The research not only seeks to improve drug development processes but also strives to make peptide therapeutics more accessible to researchers and healthcare providers.

Dr. Corey A. Lester's lab focuses on improving pharmacy practices by utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent medication dispensing errors. This research aims to enhance patient safety by designing AI systems that can efficiently catch potential errors in real-time while also assessing the risk involved with different medications. The lab conducts studies to ensure that pharmacy staff can trust these AI technologies, ultimately leading to better decision-making and improved healthcare outcomes.

Dr. Susan S. Taylor's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how protein kinase A (PKA) signaling works at a molecular level and how it is linked to various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative conditions. The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology to explore how different PKA isoforms function and localize within neurons. Through advanced imaging techniques and structural biology, they aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of PKA regulation and its implications in health and disease.

Dr. Lauren M. Aleksunes' lab focuses on understanding how drugs and nutrients are transported across the placenta, which is vital for fetal development. The lab employs innovative research techniques, including computational modeling and microphysiological systems, to study transporter proteins that can affect maternal and perinatal health. By developing training opportunities for early-career scientists and clinicians, the lab aims to enhance knowledge in pharmacology, maternal-fetal medicine, and public health.

Dr. Macarius M. Donneyong's lab at Ohio State University focuses on understanding the risks associated with using multiple medications (polypharmacy) in older adults, particularly those aged 65 and over. The lab aims to identify specific combinations of three drugs that could lead to serious adverse drug events (ADEs) like gastrointestinal bleeding, hypoglycemia, and opioid-related complications, which are common reasons for emergency department visits. By using advanced data mining and pharmacoepidemiological methods, the lab works to improve drug safety recommendations for older patients.