Dr. Matthew J. Lavoie's lab focuses on understanding Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a common form of neurodegenerative dementia. The lab investigates how mutations in the GBA1 gene, which cause a lysosomal storage disorder, affect brain cell function and contribute to the pathology of LBD. By studying neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, the team aims to uncover the molecular interactions involved in the disease and the influence of other genetic factors such as LRRK2.

Dr. Yanjun Li's lab at the University of Florida focuses on innovative drug discovery using artificial intelligence. The lab develops a unique platform that leverages generative AI to design small molecules based on cell appearance, or morphology, without the need for specific drug targets. This approach could lead to the creation of new medications for diseases that currently lack effective therapies.

Dr. Zhipeng Li's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the role of the trace element selenium in cellular health. Their research investigates how selenium metabolism affects cell survival and how cells adapt to low selenium levels, which is essential for maintaining redox balance and preventing cell death. By developing a unique low-selenium cell system, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms related to selenium regulation and its implications for diseases related to selenium dysregulation.

Dr. Hendrik Luesch's lab at the University of Florida focuses on discovering new anticancer drugs from marine cyanobacteria, which are special microorganisms that produce unique chemical compounds. By studying these organisms, the team aims to find and develop innovative therapies that can effectively target cancer, particularly drug-resistant forms. Their research combines ecology, genomics, and synthetic chemistry to unlock the therapeutic potential hidden in marine biodiversity.

Dr. Mauricio A Martins' lab at the University of Florida is focused on developing innovative gene therapies using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to fight HIV. The team works to improve how these therapies can be safely administered to individuals with prior immunity to AAV, tackling a major obstacle in HIV treatment. They aim to create long-lasting immunity in infants to prevent pediatric HIV infections, especially in high-risk regions.

Dr. Jay P. Mclaughlin's research focuses on understanding how opioids like morphine interact with HIV proteins to affect brain health and behavior. His lab studies the impacts of these substances on brain function and emotional well-being, particularly in people living with both HIV and opioid use disorder. By exploring treatments like dimethylfumarate, which may protect brain function, his work aims to develop better interventions for vulnerable patients.

Dr. Matthew E. Merritt's lab at the University of Florida focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study brain metabolism, particularly how the brain utilizes glucose for energy. The team is investigating new magnetic resonance imaging methods that can enhance the detection of metabolic processes in the brain, which could lead to better understanding and diagnosis of neurological diseases, including cancer. Their research aims to provide safer, non-invasive imaging alternatives to current methods, enabling repeated studies in various populations.

Dr. Kendall Nettles' lab at the University of Florida studies how hormones like estrogen and cortisol affect cancer and bodily responses to stress. They are working on developing new therapies for breast cancer that can overcome drug resistance and also on improving synthetic glucocorticoids to minimize side effects like muscle atrophy and insulin resistance. By understanding the molecular mechanisms involved, their goal is to create targeted treatments that are more effective and less harmful.

Dr. May Khanna's research lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the interactions between TDP-43 and Tau proteins, which are important in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The lab studies how these proteins interact under normal and pathological conditions, and explores potential therapeutic interventions to disrupt harmful interactions. This research could lead to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Stephanie M. Karst's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how noroviruses cause diarrhea, particularly in young hosts. By using a special mouse model that simulates human disease, the lab investigates the interactions between the virus and the intestinal immune system. This research aims to uncover the mechanisms of norovirus pathogenesis to help combat severe gastrointestinal diseases associated with these viruses.

Dr. Laura Solt's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how certain proteins, known as nuclear receptors, influence the development and behavior of immune cells called TH17 cells, which are important in chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. By studying the role of these receptors and their interaction with small molecules, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for treating conditions like colitis and Crohn's disease.

Dr. Michael Okun's lab focuses on understanding and improving treatments for Tourette Syndrome, particularly through innovative technologies like deep brain stimulation (DBS). They aim to identify brain regions involved in tic control and develop personalized DBS systems that respond to patients' needs. The research has significant implications for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with this disorder.

Dr. Kirill A. Martemyanov's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how opioids impact brain circuitry and behavior, particularly regarding addiction and pain relief. The research investigates the molecular mechanisms that can separate the beneficial analgesic effects of opioids from their addictive properties, aiming to find new ways to prevent opioid dependence. By targeting specific neural circuits and receptors, the lab seeks to develop treatments that minimize the risk of addiction while maintaining effective pain management.

Dr. Nancy Padilla Coreano's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how the brain determines when we compete or cooperate in social situations. By studying neural mechanisms in mice, the lab aims to uncover how specific brain regions influence these behaviors, which can shed light on social difficulties seen in disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The research integrates advanced technologies to explore the connections between brain activity and social behaviors, aiming to enhance treatment strategies.

Dr. Mark A. Atkinson's lab focuses on understanding how the pancreas changes during the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The research explores how both immune responses and changes within pancreas cells lead to the disease. By studying human pancreas samples, the lab aims to identify specific molecular pathways and potential treatments to improve pancreatic function and prevent T1D progression.

Dr. Clayton Mathews' lab focuses on understanding how autoimmune processes trigger Type 1 diabetes (T1D) by studying the pancreatic islet cells. They investigate specific proteins that may change in structure due to various chemical modifications, potentially serving as signals for the immune system to attack. By characterizing these changes in affected individuals, the lab aims to discover new biomarkers and insights that could help prevent T1D in at-risk people.

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. Ivana Parker's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects immune cells, specifically macrophages, and increases the risk of HIV in women. Her research combines advanced techniques like multi-omics and machine learning to analyze vaginal microbiomes and their influence on inflammation. This innovative work aims to reveal new insights into HIV prevention and women's health.

Dr. David E Vaillancourt's lab is focused on advancing the early identification of Parkinson's disease and related disorders. They study a condition called REM behavior disorder (RBD), which often precedes Parkinson's, using various innovative methods to detect preclinical signs of disease. Their goal is to find biomarkers and behavioral indicators that could help diagnose and treat Parkinsonism much earlier than is currently possible.

Dr. Edward Phelps' lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind type 1 diabetes (T1D) by studying how metabolism and immune system interactions contribute to the impairment of insulin-producing beta cells. The research uses advanced techniques on human pancreas slices to map changes in glucose metabolism and evaluate how the immune environment affects cell function. This work aims to uncover insights that could lead to new therapeutic approaches for T1D and pre-diabetes.