The Strack lab carries out foundational and translational research on mechanisms of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism) caused by mutation is signaling molecules, in particular protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and protein kinase A (PKA). We narrow in on pathologically significant mutations by structure prediction and other computational approaches as well as in vitro biochemical assays. The Strack lab is interested in the following areas: (1) understanding disease mechanisms in Houge-Janssens Syndrome 1 (Jordan's Syndrome, caused by de novo mutations in the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit PPP2R5D) and Marbach-Schaaf Neurodevelopmental Syndrome (caused by de novo mutations in the protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit PRKAR1B); (2) understanding cognitive impairment is cerebellar disorders (Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay); (3) development of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of neurodevelopmental and -degenerative disorders; (4) regulation of PP2A by proteasomal degradation via KLHL15. The laboratory uses both germline and conditional (floxed) mouse models of neurological disorders for behavioral, imaging, biochemical, and histopathological experiments. We also use primary neuronal and immortalized cell culture systems to study disease-mutant proteins in vitro.

Current Positions

• Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
• Professor of Pathology
• John Paul Long Professor of Pharmacology
• Vice Chair, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology

Education

• MS in Computer Science, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY
• PhD in Biology, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY
• Fellow, Deutscher Academischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) Fellowship, Wurzburg-Albany Exchange Program
• Fellow, Deutsche Studienstiftung for Academic Excellence
• Fellow in Teaching Fellowship, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY
• Fellow in Postdoctoral Fellowship, Morphology/Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Assoc.

Graduate Program Affiliations

• Biomedical Science (Cell and Developmental Biology)
• Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine)
• Biomedical Science (Pharmacology)
• Human Toxicology
• Medical Scientist Training Program
• Neuroscience
• Translational Biomedicine

Center, Program and Institute Affiliations

• Cardiovascular Research Center
• Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
• Iowa Neuroscience Institute

Research Interests

• Regulation of neuronal plasticity, signal transduction and survival by protein phosphorylation; protein phosphatase 2A structure/function, regulation of mitochondrial fission/fusion by kinases and phosphatases, neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities.