Dr. David Akhavan's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on improving treatments for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a serious type of brain cancer. The lab is exploring innovative nanotechnology techniques to better deliver drugs to CAR T cells, which are designed to specifically target and kill cancer cells. Their research aims to enhance the effectiveness of this therapy while minimizing side effects for patients.

Dr. Phil Lee's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the relationship between brain metabolism and disease pathology. The lab aims to develop advanced imaging techniques to create detailed metabolic maps of the brain, which can help identify changes associated with Alzheimer's and potentially guide new treatment strategies. The research contributes to understanding how brain metabolism affects aging and neurological disorders.

Dr. Andrew Aschenbrenner's lab focuses on improving cognitive monitoring for patients undergoing treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The team is developing a smartphone-based system to detect cognitive changes that may occur due to treatment side effects, specifically amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. This project aims to make cognitive assessments more accessible and less burdensome for patients, ultimately enhancing treatment safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Gregory Gan's lab focuses on understanding how a specific protein, MK2, affects the behavior of head and neck cancer cells, particularly their ability to migrate and invade other tissues. By exploring the role of MK2 in cancer metastasis, the lab aims to develop new strategies that could improve treatments and ultimately enhance survival rates for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Their work includes using innovative techniques to study cancer cells and their interactions in a lab setting, which could lead to promising clinical applications.

Dr. Rodrigo Del Rio's lab focuses on understanding how specific neurons in the brainstem control breathing and heart function, particularly in the context of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). They use advanced techniques to map neuronal activity and gather physiological data to identify potential treatments that could improve heart and respiratory health. This research is crucial for developing new strategies to combat a prevalent health issue affecting millions.

Dr. Jaime Perales Puchalt's lab focuses on developing innovative solutions to support Latino caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. They have created a bilingual text message intervention called CuidaTEXT, which aims to improve mental health outcomes for caregivers by providing tailored support and resources. The lab conducts clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention and its impact on caregiver stress and well-being.

Dr. Tera L. Fazzino's research lab at the University of Kansas focuses on understanding hyper-palatable foods, which are processed foods designed to be particularly tasty and often lead to overeating. The lab investigates whether these foods can be considered addictive by studying their effects on behavior and brain function, similar to how substances like alcohol and nicotine affect us. Their findings aim to inform public health regulations around these food products that can have negative health consequences.

Dr. X. Long Zheng's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center studies a rare blood disorder called immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP). They focus on understanding how certain autoantibodies disrupt normal blood function and how genetic factors might contribute to this disease. By using models and advanced techniques, the lab aims to uncover new insights that could lead to better treatments for patients suffering from iTTP and similar conditions.

Dr. Michael A. Johnson's lab at the University of Kansas focuses on the role of zinc in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. They develop advanced analytical methods to study how zinc interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically looking at how disruptions in zinc signaling can impair cognitive function. By using zebrafish as a model organism, they aim to create new insights that could help in developing therapies targeting these diseases.

The research lab led by Stuart John Macdonald focuses on understanding complex traits and genetic diseases using a novel resource based on Drosophila, or fruit flies. By creating a large, diverse set of genetic strains, the lab aims to identify genetic variations that contribute to human health issues. The work involves advanced genetic mapping techniques and aims to fill critical gaps left by traditional genome-wide association studies, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of disease mechanisms and improving diagnostics and therapeutics.

Dr. Warren B Nothnick's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on understanding adenomyosis, a common and painful uterine condition affecting many women. The research explores how changes in specific molecules, particularly microRNAs and a protein called REST, contribute to the development of this disease. By using human samples and mouse models, the lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive adenomyosis, which could lead to improved diagnostics and innovative treatments for patients.

Dr. Anthony Sung's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on improving the health of patients with hematologic malignancies by addressing their nutritional needs. Through a project called NOURISH, the lab partners with food banks to deliver tailored food assistance directly to patients in a clinical setting, which aims to combat malnutrition associated with cancer treatments. This innovative approach not only enhances patient care but also explores cost-effective solutions for healthcare systems.

Dr. Irfan Saadi's lab studies how the palate develops in embryos, particularly focusing on congenital conditions like cleft palate. The research looks into how a specific protein, SPECC1L, affects the growth and elevation of palatal shelves, which are crucial for proper mouth formation. The lab uses advanced techniques like MRI and computational modeling to understand these processes better and aims to uncover ways to improve treatment outcomes for affected children.

Dr. Soumen Paul's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern placental development, particularly how certain transcription factors like GATA2 and GATA3 influence the function of trophoblast cells. Their research aims to uncover the roles of these factors in healthy pregnancies and how their dysfunction contributes to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. By studying both human and rodent models, the lab is addressing critical questions about early pregnancy loss and the long-term impact of placental health on maternal and infant outcomes.

Dr. Jianming Qiu's lab specializes in developing innovative gene editing therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting the lungs. The lab focuses on using advanced techniques like CRISPR and rAAV vectors to correct genetic mutations in patients. Their research aims to enhance gene therapy effectiveness, making it a feasible treatment option for all CF patients, regardless of their specific gene mutations.

Dr. Steven Allan Soper's lab focuses on developing rapid diagnostic tools for stroke using markers found in blood. By analyzing RNA from extracellular vesicles in blood samples, the lab aims to create a test that can diagnose acute strokes within 31 minutes. This innovative approach hopes to significantly improve timely treatment rates for stroke patients, which are currently very low due to diagnostic limitations.

Dr. Subhrajit Saha's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on understanding how sex differences influence the body's response to radiation, particularly in the intestines. They explore ways to reduce inflammation and damage caused by radiation exposure using targeted treatments. Their research aims to identify new therapies that can be used as medical countermeasures in case of radiation accidents, helping to protect both men and women from radiation injuries.

Dr. Adam Steven Smith's lab at the University of Kansas Lawrence focuses on understanding the effects of social loss on the brain, particularly in the context of losing a partner. Using a prairie vole model, the lab investigates how such losses impact emotional and motivational states, aiming to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind prolonged grief and develop potential therapeutic interventions. The research combines behavioral studies with neuroscience to provide insights into the brain's response to emotional trauma related to social connections.

Dr. Jeffrey Statland's research lab focuses on improving treatments for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a genetic muscle disorder that primarily affects children and young adults. The lab aims to validate clinical outcome measures and biomarkers that can help in the development of effective therapies. By conducting prospective studies on pediatric FSHD, the lab hopes to enhance the understanding of the disease and accelerate the process of bringing new treatments to patients.

Dr. Jaichandar Subramanian's research lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease, particularly how changes in neuronal activity and synaptic function relate to mitochondrial health. By studying mouse models of the disease, the lab aims to uncover how these factors interact across different ages and brain regions. Ultimately, the goal is to find ways to improve cognitive function by restoring normal brain activity and synapse structure.