Daniela Zarnescu
Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Degrees
PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College PA (1995-2000)
"Epithelial polarity and morphogenesis in Drosophila"
BS, Physics, Bucharest University, Romania (1989)
Work experience
Postdoctoral fellow, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA (2000-2005)
"Modeling Fragile X syndrome in Drosophila"
Awards
Pella Fay Braucher Scholarship (Penn State) (1995)
Fred Wedler Award for outstanding doctoral dissertation, Penn State (2000)
Fragile-X Syndrome Research Foundation (FRAXA) Postdoctoral fellowship (2002)
Ruth Kirschstein NRSA Individual Fellowship (NIH) (2003-2005)
Scientist Development Grant, American Heart Association (2009-2012)
Outstanding Mentor Award (UBRP, U of A) (2017)
Research Interest
My research focuses on RNA processing during normal development and aging, and dysregulation of RNA metabolism in disease. In addition to these basic studies we seek to identify therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to RNA and metabolic dysregulation in the nervous system. My research group utilizes a combination of genetic, molecular, bioinformatics and pharmacological approaches in Drosophila (fruit flies), cultured cells and patient tissues. This “fly-to-man” approach takes advantage of the powerful, genetically tractable fruit fly model to uncover molecular mechanisms that we can subsequently validate in patient tissues.
Offering Research Opportunities
Yes
Prerequisite Courses
None
Majors Considered
MCB, Biochemistry, CS, Engineering, Physiology, EEB
Types of Opportunities
Description of Opportunity
No description given
Start Date
End Date
College
Primary Department
Affiliated Departments
Research Location