Expertise

Sphingolipids are a structurally diverse class of lipids found in all eukaryotes and several bacteria and are emerging as a particularly rich source of bioactive molecules. Functions of sphingolipids range from structural roles to signal transduction mediators that affect the regulation of cancer cell growth, differentiation, senescence, apoptosis, proliferation, inflammation, and cell motility. The number of molecular species of sphingolipids found in cells is astounding with diversification at three different positions within the sphingolipid molecule (the long-chain base, the long or very long chain acyl group and the head group). This combinatorial-like diversification suggests that a specific sphingolipid (that is, one with a defined long chain base, N-linked acyl chain and head group) may be required for each of the diverse functions of the class of sphingolipids.

Past Affiliations

Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science, Miami University (past)

Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (past)

Assistant Research Professor, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Science, Miami University (past)

Communities
Biochemistry, Chemistry
Degrees
MS, Purdue University, 1985
BA, University of Northern Iowa, 1982
Keywords
agriculture and food sciences agricultural chemistry agricultural biotechnology biochemical engineering enzymology biochemical markers lipid metabolism biochemistry & molecular biology plant sciences animal development signal transduction life sciences lipids biochemistry, proteins