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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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  5. Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences
  6. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track
  7. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track Faculty

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Track Faculty

Antiño Allen, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our laboratory utilizes pharmacologic approaches and genetic models to examine how the changes in the neuronal microenvironment e.g. inflammation, oxidative stress affects cognitive function. 

Rushita Bagchi, PhD
Website: Research Profile

Our lab studies the characteristics and regulation of cell states in health and disease. We use human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), intact human and mouse tissues, pre-clinical rodent models and omics platforms to understand the molecular pathways that drive cellular plasticity in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We also employ genetic and pharmacological manipulations in cells and mice to investigate how specific genes/proteins may cause cell state transitions, thereby contributing to cardiometabolic diseases.

Giulia Baldini, M.D., Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on Melanocortin-4 receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor involved in appetite control.

Steve W. Barger, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My lab is focused on Alzheimer’s disease. Current research is examining the role of diabetes-related disruptions in glucose metabolism and the impact this has on brain function. Evidence indicates that both Alzheimer’s and diabetes involve processes connected to inflammation, which has been another of my longstanding areas of research.

Alexei G. Basnakian, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.
Website: Research Profile

The lab studies the role of DNases in tissue injury and cell death.

Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Dr. Michael Birrer will be focused on developing new types of drug models and molecular approaches to help create alternative forms of treatment for multiple types of ovarian cancers. While his primary focus will be on of ovarian cancer, he hopes his research, and ongoing clinical trials will also help in the development of new treatments for multiple types of cancers studied here at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Dr. Birrer has also been chosen to lead the UAMS goal of achieving the National Cancer Institute designation, and he has assembled a top-notch team of doctors, oncologists, surgeons, and researchers to help him on this journey.

Elisabet Borsheim, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The overall aim of our program is to promote life-long health starting from the very beginning of a human’s life. Specifically, our research program is focused on studying the effects of physical activity, alone and in combination with nutrition, on optimal growth and development of children, including underlying biological mechanisms. We seek to understand the mechanistic consequences of inactivity and suboptimal nutrition on obesity and related metabolic disorders, and also how maternal physical activity during fetal development (i.e., training during pregnancy) and physical activity during childhood can prevent and/or reverse these conditions.

Gunnar Boysen, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on how environmental and occupational exposure, nutrition, and genetic diversity influence cancer initiation, promotion, and progress.

Alicia Byrd, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The major focus of my research is to characterize the molecular mechanisms of helicases involved in regulation of the DNA damage response using biochemical, biophysical, and systems biology approaches with the overall goal of designing better cancer treatments.

Samrat Roy Choudhury, Ph.D., MSc
Website: Research Profile

Our research focus is aimed at investigating the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms at the enhancers and promoters of the critical oncogenes and tumor suppressors that drive malignant proliferation and invasion during leukemogenesis in the Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patients, characterized with BET (BRD4), SET (KMT2A, EZH2, and NSD1) or runt (CBFA2T3) over-expressed domains. Using the multi-omics platform, we intend to identify the alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications and transcription factor assemblies in and outside the topologically assorted domains (TAD) in AML. We also aim to study the recurrent epigenetic mutations in AML patients in relation to their effect on the cancer cell metabolism. Suitable cells or animals will be induced with the mutant proteins to study the deleterious effects on the chromatin spread, transcriptional dysfunctions and metabolic turnover in the course hematopoiesis. CRISPR-multiplex or small molecule based drugs would be screened for their efficacy against the vulnerable targets of the mutant phenotypes

Mari Davidson, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The lab studies chromosome dynamics in meiosis.

Alan Diekman, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The lab studies the structure and function of carbohydrate-binding proteins in prostate cancer and reproduction.

Ruud P.M. Dings, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Website: Research Profile

Primary areas of investigation are aimed at enhancing our understanding of cancer biology to discover and develop improved methods for cancer treatment. Our major future objective is to significantly and positively contribute to translational research and clinical practice.

Eric Enemark, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Dr. Enemark’s research focuses on DNA replication, a fundamental event that is required in all life forms, and its disruption can lead to several forms of the disease, including cancer.

Robert Eoff, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our lab studies DNA replication and DNA damage tolerance: mechanisms and roles in cancer.

Abdelrahman (Abdel) Y. Fouda, B.Pharm., Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our lab studies central nervous system (CNS) injury mainly in the retina and brain. The lab employs different molecular/cell culture techniques, human tissue samples, and animal studies to model critical disease conditions in these two organs. Among the diseases under study are diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, traumatic optic neuropathy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Our studies aim to elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms in these conditions and identify new therapies that can be translated from bench to bedside to help patients affected by these disease conditions.

Robert J. Griffin, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Radiation and Cancer biology, exosomes and cell to cell crosstalk in stem  cell differentiation and activity, nanomedicine applications. Dr. Griffin’s research interests include: molecular and physiological mechanisms of radiation and thermal sensitization; modulation of tumor blood flow, angiogenesis and oxygenation; biology and physiology of thermal therapy; and oxygen partial pressure as predictor of cancer treatment response.

Samantha Kendrick, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our overall research goal is to identify the molecular mechanisms behind the genomic instability at critical oncogenes in lymphoma and the role DNA secondary structures may play in facilitating these genomic alterations. We are also interested in the impact of HIV infection on the molecular oncogenesis of lymphoma. To address these important questions we integrate basic and translational science using in silico, ex vivo, cell-based and tissue-based genomic and proteomic approaches.

KyoungHyun Kim, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our lab has focused on the novel role of nuclear receptor NR2E3 in liver diseases and cancer. Among 48 human nuclear receptors, the biological roles of NR2E3 remain largely unknown. Our long-term goal is to develop precision medicine for liver disease and cancer based on mechanism-based, gene-oriented epigenetic therapy.

Yuet-Kin “Ricky” Leung, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Dr. Leung is an established investigator in the field of hormone regulation of cancer and is an expert on the developmental origin of cancer risk and the impact of environmental estrogens/endocrine disruption on epigenetics reprogramming.  

Vladimir Lupashin, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the generation and maintenance of intra-cellular membrane-bounded compartments. In all eukaryotic cells intracellular membrane trafficking is critical for a range of important cellular functions including protein secretion, post-translational modifications, cell signalling, cell polarization, and cell maintenance. Defects in membrane trafficking can underline, or even exacerbate, a number of human diseases including cancer, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome and Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.

Angus MacNicol, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on cell cycle control, stem cells, cancer stem cells, drug discovery, mRNA translation, and vertebrate development.

Mark Manzano, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

We are interested in studying primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), an aggressive B cell cancer caused by the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8). PEL tumor cells rely on the constitutive expression of virally encoded genes that globally reprogram host gene expression to create a conducive environment optimal for tumor cell proliferation and survival.

Sayem Miah, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research vision is to understand how cells perceive signals that vary in healthy and cancer cells and how this perception regulates tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Grover Paul Miller, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research group investigates the role of enzymes, especially cytochromes P450 (CYP), in the activation and processing of xenobiotic chemicals, such as drugs, pollutants, and dietary compounds, from a chemist’s perspective. We specialize in the identification and validation of biochemical mechanisms through experimental approaches and often develop analytical tools along the way. Nevertheless, our projects are often multi-disciplinary and collaborative to effectively tackle complex challenges by recruiting experts in computational, analytical, and clinical research.

Roy Morello, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

We utilize genetically modified mouse models to understand the function of poorly characterized genes that have a function in skeletal development, homeostasis or disease. A special interest is in proteins that post-translationally modify collagens and in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Intawat Nookaew, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on the area of applied bioinformatics/computational biology and systems biology for biomedical research. I have developed novel advanced algorithms and frameworks to accelerate the utilization and mining for biological interpretation of omics data (genome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome) for biomedical research translation (cancer, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, metabolic dysfunction, etc.). In addition, I also focus on the impact of human gut microbiome on diseases progression and development.

Melda Onal, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our laboratory is interested in autophagy in osteoblast lineage cells in efforts to understand the role of autophagy in bone remodeling and age-related bone loss.

Nirmala Parajuli, D.V.M, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The long-term interest of my laboratory is to understand molecular mechanisms responsible for cold storage (CS)-induced renal damage. My research focuses on exploring novel mechanisms by which CS alters protein quality and renal function after transplantation, and importantly, to identify a possible therapeutic target that could lead to improved renal outcome after transplantation. Specifically, I plan to investigate the roles of proteasome, heat shock proteins and complement pathway during CS plus transplantation. We have established a rat kidney transplantation model, which will be fundamental in studying my independent research project on CS mediated renal damage. In addition, I’m also collaborating with Dr. MacMillan-Crow to study the molecular mechanisms that disrupt mitochondrial dynamics during renal CS and transplantation using our rat kidney transplant model.

Craig Porter Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The overall goal of our research program is to better understand the role of the mitochondrion in health and disease. Areas of focus include studying the role of mitochondrial proton leaks in the regulation of metabolic rate, as well as studying the impact of lifestyle (i.e. diet/exercise) and pharmacological interventions on bioenergetics in several settings including developmental programming, obesity and trauma.

Paul L. Prather, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Website: Research Profile

I am a cellular/molecular pharmacologist whose research interests involve understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the addictive states produced by drugs of abuse. Specifically, for over 20 years I have been investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction mediated by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with which drugs of abuse interact, specifically opioids and cannabinoids.

Isabelle Racine Miousse, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

I specialize in epigenetics, with a focus on how environmental factors linked to cancer affect DNA and histone methylation. I investigate how the supply and metabolism of the methyl donor methionine modulates these responses and alters cancer development. My current project studies how to modulate dietary methionine to alter autophagy and improve the response rate to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Kevin Raney, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on protein-nucleic acid interactions.

Robert Reis, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on the molecular genetics of longevity and age-associated diseases. I was trained in genetics, and turned to C. elegans as a model system in which to define and characterize genes that govern longevity.  Using novel gene-mapping methods we developed, we discovered over 27 highly-significant loci for lifespan, resistance to stresses, and Darwinian fitness. 

Analiz Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My main research interests include the use of laser thermal ablation for brain tumors and understanding the immune microenvironment.

Brian Storrie, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on organelles of the secretory pathway using HeLa cells as an easy cell for molecular manipulations of the Golgi apparatus and platelets as structure/function example of a stored secretory granules.

Alan Tackett, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My laboratory focuses on histone epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene transcription and that are coupled to melanoma progression. We utilize a suite of techniques in our studies including proteomics of human biopsies, immunohistochemistry, cell culture, tumorigenicity assays, ChIPseq, biochemical and proteomic approaches for analyses of protein complexes, and cutting-edge mass spectrometry for the analysis of histone post-translational modifications.

David Ussery, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

We are using ‘third generation sequencing technology’ (such as Oxford Nanopore flow cells) to do metagenomics of clinical isolates and environmental samples.

Wayne Wahls, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on chromosome dynamics, epigenetics, cellular growth controls.

Jerry Ware, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

My research focuses on the role of circulating blood platelets, in thrombosis, inflammation, and cancer

Patricia Wight, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

The focus of research in my laboratory is centered on CNS development, particularly with regard to the formation and maintenance of myelin. 

Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

In my lab, I conduct federally funded research that focuses on the Replication stress response and DNA damage repair mechanisms in normal and tumor cells after radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Understanding the interplay between defective DNA repair and cancer cell growth, as well as normal cell injury could lead to new avenues for both cancer prevention and personalized cancer treatment. My research team and I are motivated by an unyielding desire to find answers.

Venkat Yeruva, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

Our lab focus on two aspects 1. Role of Chlamydia variants in host pathogenesis. 2. Role of infant diet in gastrointestinal tract development and immune function.

Donghoon Yoon, Ph.D.
Website: Research Profile

We are interested in the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma (MM), a B cell cancer characterized by proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, presence of a monoclonal serum immunoglobulin, and osteolytic lesions. We are investigating roles/mechanisms of PTH axis (PTH signal transduction) in MM development and therapeutic agents that target this axis. Additionally we are exploring the roles of Hypoxia (low oxygen tension) and microRNA (miRNA) in MM.

Fenghuang (Frank) Zhan, PhD
Website: Research Profile

Dr. Zhan is interested in understanding how the genetic alterations in cancer cells contribute to tumor progression, alter treatment response and create vulnerabilities that may be targeted therapeutically.

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