Andrew J Mason · Engineering
Dr. Andrew Mason's lab focuses on developing wearable technologies to monitor personal exposure to air pollutants, particularly airborne particulate matter. They aim to create systems that provide real-time data on air quality, which can help in understanding health impacts and formulating interventions to reduce pollution exposure. The research could lead to significant advancements in public health and environmental safety by allowing individuals to track and manage their exposure to harmful air pollutants such as fine particles.
Kin Sing Stephen Lee · Pharmacology
Dr. Kin Sing Stephen Lee's research lab focuses on developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, which is a growing concern as the population ages. The lab specifically aims to create inhibitors for an enzyme called soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), which may alleviate symptoms of the disease. Researchers will investigate how to improve the efficacy of these inhibitors to ensure they effectively reach the brain and work optimally.
Nathan Roger Tykocki · Pharmacology
Dr. Nathan Tykocki's lab focuses on understanding how our bladder feels full as it fills with urine. They study the mechanical properties of the bladder wall and how these properties influence our sensation of needing to void. By using advanced techniques from both engineering and physiology, the lab aims to uncover the connection between bladder mechanics and sensory nerve signaling, which could lead to better treatments for bladder dysfunction.
Yener N Yeni · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Yener N. Yeni's lab focuses on improving bone health monitoring in breast cancer patients during treatment. The lab is investigating a novel imaging technique called digital wrist tomosynthesis, which uses existing mammography equipment to assess bone quality and predict fracture risk without the need for additional appointments. This research aims to enhance patient care by integrating bone health assessment into routine breast cancer follow-up.
S. Alexandra Burt · Psychology
Dr. S. Alexandra Burt's lab focuses on understanding how the environments where children grow up, particularly disadvantaged neighborhoods, can influence their behaviors, including risk-taking and aggression. The lab investigates the molecular changes, specifically DNA methylation patterns, that may occur as a result of these environmental factors, helping to shed light on how early experiences can affect behavior throughout adolescence. The aim is to uncover both biological and environmental factors that contribute to youth antisocial behaviors, ultimately contributing to public health betterment.
Howard C. Crawford · Pharmacology
Dr. Howard C. Crawford's lab investigates how collagen proteins contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. By studying a specific receptor that interacts with collagen, the lab aims to uncover new insights into how these proteins influence cancer behavior and identify potential targets for treatment. The ultimate goal is to improve survival rates for patients suffering from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Victor J. Dirita · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Victor J. Dirita's lab at Michigan State University studies how the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni causes foodborne illnesses. His research focuses on understanding how C. jejuni manipulates its environment in the gut to thrive, particularly through its use of oxygen. By using ferrets as a model for human infection, the lab aims to uncover the bacteria's strategies for adaptation and pathogenicity. The goal is to identify new therapies to combat infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.
Robert Andrew Quinn · Biochemistry
Dr. Robert Andrew Quinn's lab at Michigan State University studies how the gut microbiome interacts with bile acids, which are crucial for digestion and gut health. They focus on a group of bile acids modified by gut bacteria, called microbially conjugated bile acids (MCBAs), and investigate how these compounds can influence inflammation and health outcomes in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. Through their research, they aim to understand the potential of MCBAs as new therapeutic agents for gut-related conditions.
Brian D. Gulbransen · Physiology
Dr. Brian D. Gulbransen's lab at Michigan State University studies how certain cells in the gut, called enteric glia, influence the way our intestines move. They focus on understanding how inflammation can change the way these glial cells and nerve cells interact, which may lead to problems like irritable bowel syndrome. Their research aims to provide new insights that can help develop better treatments for gut motility disorders.
Kelly L Klump · Psychology
Dr. Kelly Klump's lab at Michigan State University focuses on understanding how hormonal changes during perimenopause may elevate the risk of psychosis in women. By investigating the relationship between ovarian hormones and mental health symptoms, the lab aims to identify critical periods and mechanisms behind this heightened risk. The research aims to improve women's health interventions by providing insights into the effects of hormonal fluctuations during midlife.
Xuefei Huang · Chemistry
Dr. Xuefei Huang's lab at Michigan State University focuses on developing innovative vaccines to combat diseases caused by bacteria, particularly pertussis and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The lab combines synthetic chemistry and microbiology to design carbohydrate-based vaccines that can generate strong immune responses. The research aims to understand the structures of sugar molecules on bacterial surfaces and how they can be utilized to create effective vaccine candidates.
Quan Jiang · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Quan Jiang's lab focuses on understanding how the brain clears waste products, especially in conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The team investigates the connections between the brain's waste clearance systems and cognitive decline, employing advanced imaging techniques to observe these processes in real-time. This research aims to uncover mechanisms that could help slow or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Norbert E Kaminski · Pharmacology
Dr. Norbert Kaminski's lab studies how cannabis use impacts inflammation in people living with HIV, particularly focusing on the effects on brain health. The research addresses how monocytes, a type of immune cell, become activated and contribute to neuroinflammatory damage in HIV-infected individuals. By investigating the relationship between cannabis use and inflammation, this work aims to improve our understanding of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and explore potential therapeutic options.
Taeho Kim · Engineering
Dr. Taeho Kim's lab focuses on developing innovative nanodrug therapies for treating endometriosis, a painful condition affecting many women. By using cerium oxide nanoparticles, the lab aims to target and reduce inflammation and lesions associated with the disease without the side effects of current hormone treatments. This work integrates biomedical engineering techniques with real-time imaging to monitor therapy effectiveness and ensure better patient outcomes.
Timothy R. Zacharewski · Biochemistry
Dr. Timothy R. Zacharewski's lab focuses on understanding how environmental contaminants, especially a compound called TCDD, contribute to liver diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lab investigates how TCDD affects liver metabolism and causes liver damage, aiming to identify potential treatments, such as Vitamin B12 supplementation, to protect the liver from these damaging effects. This research is important because NAFLD is a growing health issue in the United States, and better understanding could lead to better treatments.
Robert B Abramovitch · Microbiology & Immunology
The lab led by Robert B. Abramovitch focuses on developing new drugs to treat serious infections caused by mycobacteria, such as tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. They are discovering potent new compounds that can effectively target these bacteria, which are often resistant to current antibiotics. This research is crucial since these infections can lead to severe health issues and are a global health concern due to rising drug resistance.
Anna Moore · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Anna Moore's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies for metastatic breast cancer using nanoparticle-based techniques. They use specially designed nanodrugs to target and inhibit specific microRNAs responsible for cancer cell survival and growth. Through research involving large animal models, the lab aims to translate these promising findings into potential treatment options for human patients.
Andrew Olive · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Andrew Olive's lab at Michigan State University focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to tuberculosis (TB) infections. The lab investigates the role of specific proteins, known as GSK3a and GSK3b, in regulating immune responses during TB. The goal is to uncover new insights that could lead to better treatments and prevention strategies for this serious disease.
Erik Shapiro · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Erik Shapiro's lab focuses on enhancing the healing of peripheral nerve injuries by using advanced 3D printed tissue engineered scaffolds. These scaffolds incorporate special materials that allow for monitoring via standard imaging techniques, helping doctors ensure that the devices are functioning as intended after implantation. The research aims to translate these innovative devices from the lab to clinical practice to improve patient recovery outcomes.
Julia Puckett · Psychology
Dr. Julia Puckett's lab at Michigan State University focuses on improving mental health support for transgender and gender diverse individuals. The lab studies resilience as a key factor that can help mitigate the mental health disparities faced by these communities. By developing a new measure of resilience and investigating its protective role against stressors, the lab aims to enhance our understanding and help create better mental health interventions tailored for transgender and gender diverse people.