Training Program in Molecular Metabolism (MMTP) 

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Chinese and concentration in Public Health from Bates College (2018) 
Alanis focuses on the lymph node tumor microenvironment investigating the role of iron as potential prognostic biomarker in breast cancer development. 
She graduated from Bates college in 2018 and went off to be a research technician at The University of Chicago from 2018-2022 in the lab of Dr. Ronald Cohen in the department of Endocrinology where she investigated the adipocyte microenvironment and its implication in diseases like obesity and diabetes. 

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Massachusetts Amherst (2020) 
Will aims to study the metabolic adaptations that occur in obese mice treated with Glucagon Like Protein 1 (Glp-1) receptor agonists using carbon-13 based stable isotope tracing. 
After graduating from UMass Amherst in 2020, Will worked as a research assistant in Dr. David Guertin’s Lab at UMass Medical School, studying how brown fat activation changes its use of nutrients. 

Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (2020) 
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Washington (2017) 
Branden aims to understand the molecular mechanism of how obesity contributes to the development of metabolic disease by studying the crosstalk between adipose tissue and the liver. In the Hotamışlıgil Lab, he is currently interested in understanding the role of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) pool that is in the signal containing extracellular vesicles derived from the adipose tissue (Ad-Exos). Elucidating the role of hormonal FABP4 within Ad-Exo and related mechanisms of the crosstalk between the adipose tissue and the liver may be a critical step for understanding, and eventually resolving obesity-induced metabolic disorders. 
During his Master’s degree, Branden worked under Dr. Qiang’s mentorship at Columbia University. He received an honor thesis award for studying myogenic determination protein 1 and myogenic factor 6 overexpression in mice models. Before relocating to the east coast, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of Washington. In addition to his scientific activity, Branden has 300 hours + of volunteering experience in the hospital setting and wishes to continue serving the community by translating scientific findings to the public.

Focus on understanding how lipogenesis is triggered in the insulin-resistant state; the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in diabetes.  

Focus on chronic metabolic diseases (i.e., obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and atherosclerosis), with a particular interest in the integration of immune and metabolic responses, organelle homeostasis, and lipid metabolism and signaling.

Mitochondrial metabolism and physiology regulation by redox-active metabolites. 

Molecular mechanisms and biologic consequences of cellular fuel choices. In collaboration with the Farese-Walther lab, showed that metabolic gene expression is regulated by partitioning of MLX-family transcription factors to lipid droplets.

Uses small molecules to study and manipulate human-associated bacteria in order to better understand how microbiomes affect human health and disease, including effects of microbiomes on metabolism, circadian rhythm, and immune pathways in the gut and liver.

Interplay between the gastrointestinal immune system and the gut microbiome, focusing on host metabolic responses in health and in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Studies how molecular pathways that control metabolic health and aging impact mitochondrial bioenergetics and signaling using proteomics, cell biology, and mouse genetics.

Leverages quantitative analysis of intracellular metabolism to quantify systemic and tissue-specific metabolic flux in vivo.

His laboratory studies the molecular basis of bioenergetics in health and disease, i.e., how we coordinate metabolic demands and control energy homeostasis, and how the processes go wrong in metabolic diseases, cancer, and aging.

Studies mitochondrial energy generation and how metabolite exchange is adjusted to meet metabolic demand and cell state.

Integrative genomics of lung biology and disease; gene-environmental interactions; microvesicle trafficking and receptor signaling.

Integrates molecular studies of cellular or tissue metabolism into models of biological processes such as healthy aging. Studies molecular and cellular mechanisms influencing the metabolic health of animals as they age, with a focus on nutrient- and energy-sensing pathways and insulin signaling.

Studies how signals from nutrients and growth factors are propagated to coordinately regulate nutrient metabolism. Investigates molecular regulation of the Pl3K-mTOR network under physiological and pathological states and how its downstream functions contribute to metabolic homeostasis and dysfunction.

Investigates the cell-signaling pathways that impact nutrient sensing and bioenergetic responses in cells and metabolic tissues.

Investigates the mechanisms linking metabolic stress to cell dysfunction and cell death, including lipotoxicity caused by high circulating free fatty acids and triglycerides.

Uncovering the molecular basis of energy homeostasis and tissue development, using adipogenesis and muscle as primary model systems. Interests include the biochemical mechanisms of metabolic diseases, especially obesity, insulin­ resistant diabetes (type 2), and muscle diseases.

Her research is focused on brown fat biology, energy metabolism, gene expression, signal transduction, and mitochondrial biology, and how these relate to obesity and diabetes.

Investigates molecular aspects of malaria infection, with an emphasis on metabolic responses to the parasite.