Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Promoted to Full Professor effective Sept. 26, 2024!
(PhD – M.I.T)
ACCEPTING STUDENTS
HONORS & AWARDS
- National Lipid Assoc. Jr. Faculty Research Award: 2017
- Kavli Fellow: 2014
- Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences: 2012
- NIHK99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award: 2010
- Jane Coffin Childs Fellow: 2006
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) breaks down fats so that they can be cleared from the blood. Individuals with LPL deficiency have no way to clear the fats from their blood and therefore develop severe hypertriglyceridemia. LPL is a very high-maintenance enzyme as it needs special assistance to fold into its active form and travel out of cells to the blood. In my lab we use protein biochemistry and cell biology to study these processes.
Our bodies need to be able to increase or decrease LPL activity in order to respond to the amount of fat that is available. This is accomplished through the action of LPL activators and inhibitors. We seek to understand the mechanisms by which these activators and inhibitors affect LPL activity. Doing so will guide the development of new therapies to treat lipid disorders.
