I received my PhD in Vishal Gohil’s lab at Texas A&M University, where I studied how mitochondrial membrane lipids impact mitochondrial membrane protein function and bioenergetics and its implications in Barth syndrome, an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism. Following my interest in mitochondrial biology, I joined the Shadel lab, where I am currently exploring how mitochondria shape host-pathogen interactions in infectious diseases.

Alex Moyzis received her PhD from UCSD in Dr. Asa Gustafsson’s lab, where she studied mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in cardiovascular disease. Moyzis was excited to join the Shadel lab, and is currently investigating how targeting various mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant pathways can combat T cell exhaustion and improve anti-cancer immune responses.

I received my Ph.D. from University of Manchester, UK where I studied protein interactions of the Bcl-2 family of proteins using live cell imaging. This family of proteins regulate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. During my postdoctoral training at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, I studied a novel cell death pathway. I also participated in the development of an animal model to study MIC60, a protein from the inner mitochondrial membrane that regulates cristae structure. I joined the Shadel lab as a Senior Research Scientist with the intention of studying the role of mitochondria in aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

As a MD/PhD student, my interests in the Shadel lab lie at the intersection between basic science and human health. Small amounts of stress to mitochondria can induce long-term adaptive responses that overall benefit the organism. My goals in the lab are to characterize the mechanism behind these adaptive changes and test their potential as interventions for human disease.

I received my bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of San Diego. I’m currently involved in different projects in the Shadel lab including understanding the mechanism behind mtDNA release upon mitochondrial stress. In my spare time I like to knit, run and go hiking.

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego studying Molecular and Cell Biology. In the Shadel Lab, I maintain the organization of supplies while also aiding fellow lab members in their projects to identify key metabolic pathways that contribute to oncogenesis and tumor immune responses. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing tennis, painting, and occasionally splurging on things I don’t need.