Jamie Alan, PHARMD, Ph.D., RPh

In the Alan lab we use the model organism C. elegans to model human disease. In collaboration with the Lee lab in the Pharm/Tox department, we are investigating the role of dietary lipids in neurodegenerative disorders. We have discovered that various lipid species have roles in models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. In collaboration with the Olson lab in the department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences we are investigating the molecular mechanisms that are triggered after ingestion of cereal grains. We have discovered that ingesting wheat with different genetic backgrounds results in altered levels of ROS, changes in lifespan, and changes in healthspan in C. elegans.   The Alan lab is also interested in investing the role of and targeted small GTPases in cancer, including Cdc42 and Rac1. Along these lines, we have identified targets downstream and in parallel of activated Cdc42 that may be useful targets in cancer, such as melanoma. Dr. Alan is also active in educational research, and she is currently part of the MI-CARES team, which is working to educate medical students, residents, physicians, and other providers on the topic of addiction medicine.