Faculty

David Mangelsdorf, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry
Chair of Pharmacology
Raymond and Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in Molecular Neuropharmacology in Honor of Harold B. Crasilneck, Ph.D.
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Lab
Phone 214-645-5957
ND9.124A
davo.mango@utsouthwestern.edu

The Mango/Kliewer lab is interested in understanding the physiologic role of nuclear hormone receptors and endocrine fibroblast growth factors in regulating metabolic processes. A further goal of our work is to exploit the signaling networks governed by these factors to discover novel therapeutic options for diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cholestasis, obesity, cancer, and nematode parasitism.

Joseph Albanesi, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6119
ND7.214A
joseph.albanesi@utsouthwestern.edu

Research projects in our lab are investigating the dysregulation of dynamin in neuromyopathies and the role of phosphoinositides in endocytic trafficking.

Steven Altschuler, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and the Cecil H.and Ida Green Comprehensive Center for Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6183
ND9.202B
steven.altschuler@utsouthwestern.edu

The Altschuler/Wu Lab studies how signaling networks in chemotaxis, metabolism, and development give rise to predictable behaviors in unpredictable environments, and how predictability is lost in disease states, such as cancer.

Kamal Bharucha, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6493
ND7.300CB
kamal.bharucha@utsouthwestern.edu

Our laboratory seeks to dissect endocrine mechanisms that regulate lipid mobilization across species; to identify novel, conserved obesity-causing genes; and to identify novel drug targets for the treatment of human metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

Yuh Min Chook, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6167
ND8.120C
yuhmin.chook@utsouthwestern.edu

Research in our lab is directed toward understanding the physical and cellular mechanisms of nuclear trafficking by the Karyopherin-β family of proteins. We would like to understand how the macromolecular nuclear traffic patterns coordinated by the 19 human Karyopherin-βs contribute to overall cellular organization.

Melanie Cobb, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Jane and Bill Browning, Jr., Chair in Medical Science
Phone 214-645-6122
ND7.214B
melanie.cobb@utsouthwestern.edu

My laboratory investigates signal transduction mechanisms, in particular MAPK and other protein kinase pathways. In addition to a focus on nutrient regulation in pancreatic beta cells and neuroendocrine cancers, we examine functions of the unusual WNK protein kinases in regulation of ion homeostasis, vesicular trafficking, and regulation of RNA binding proteins.

David Corey, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry
Lab
Phone 214-645-6155
ND8.502B
david.corey@utsouthwestern.edu

Modulation of gene expression with nucleic acids.

Joel Goodman, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Jan and Bob Bullock Distinguished Chair for Science Education
Director, UT Southwestern STARS Program
Lab
Phone 214-645-6139
ND7.124A
joel.goodman@utsouthwestern.edu

Organelle biogenesis and associated protein and lipid trafficking, focused on understanding the assembly and maintenance of cytoplasmic lipid droplets.

Kent Hamra, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6279
ND11.124AA
kent.hamra@utsouthwestern.edu

Research in our laboratory is based on the biology and applications of sperm stem cells. Areas of focus include: understanding the genetic basis of sperm development, which will lead to new therapies to correct infertility; the discovery of novel contraceptive targets; insights into innovative cancer therapies; the design of original cellular therapeutics for regenerative medicine; and the production of advanced animal models to support drug discovery and to facilitate translational research.

Bethany Janowski, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6109
ND8.136C
bethany.janowski@utsouthwestern.edu

Our research focuses on understanding how non-coding RNAs regulate gene expression. We are also using small RNAs to modulate the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer cells.

Lily (Li) Jiang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6105
ND6.136CA
lily.jiang@utsouthwestern.edu

Our research focuses on understanding the regulation and function of cAMP signaling in the immune system through biochemical and genetic approaches.

Steven Kliewer, PhD
Professor of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology
Lab
ND9.502A
Phone 214-645-6304
steven.kliewer@utsouthwestern.edu

The Mango/Kliewer lab is interested in understanding the physiologic role of nuclear hormone receptors and endocrine fibroblast growth factors in regulating metabolic processes. A further goal of our work is to exploit the signaling networks governed by these factors to discover novel therapeutic options for diseases such as atherosclerosis, cholestasis, obesity, cancer, and nematode parasitism.

Mark Lehrman, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6172
ND9.300D
mark.lehrman@utsouthwestern.edu

We study processes in health and disease which depend upon the synthesis and recognition of glycoconjugates, which are polysaccharides coupled to proteins and lipids. Our focus is on the stress signaling pathways of the endoplasmic reticulum, a major site for glycoconjugate production.

Xuelian Luo, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6368
ND6.136CC
xuelian.luo@utsouthwestern.edu

Our work focuses on the structure and biology of signaling proteins in the Hippo pathway for organ size control, and structural and biochemical studies of the spindle checkpoint in chromosome segregation.

Elizabeth Martinez, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-648-5150
NB8.218A
elisabeth.martinez@utsouthwestern.edu

The goal of our research is to identify novel chemical modulators of transcriptional and epigenetic pathways with application in disease models, particularly in cancer, and to use these chemical tools to dissect new aspects of disease biology.

Anthony Michael, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-648-4170
ND7.120B
anthony.michael@utsouthwestern.edu

Our research is focused on understanding the evolution and biological function of metabolic pathways by using a multidisciplinary approach encompassing comparative and functional genomics, protein structure analysis, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

Marc Mumby, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6152
ND7.502A
marc.mumby@utsouthwestern.edu

We want to understand molecular mechanisms utilized by cell signaling pathways to regulate the cell cycle and DNA replication, and how these mechanisms are altered in cancer.

Margaret Phillips, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6164
ND8.120B
margaret.phillips@utsouthwestern.edu

Research in the Phillips lab focuses on essential metabolic enzymes in the parasitic protozoa that cause African sickness (Trypanosoma brucei) and Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum), both significant contributors to global health problems. We are focused on both biochemical understanding of parasite metabolism and on exploiting the identified processes for drug discovery.

Rama Ranganathan, MD, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Director, Division of Systems Biology of the Green Comprehensive Center for Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology
Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair in Biomedical Science
Lab
Phone 214-645-5955
ND9.136G
rama.ranganathan@UTSouthwestern.edu

The central goal of our laboratory is to understand the principles underlying the evolutionary "design" of biological systems. We work on this problem at both the atomic and cellular scales.

Elliott Ross, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Greer Garson and E. E. Fogelson Distinguished Chair in Medical Research
John P. Perkins, PhD Distinguished Professorship in Biomedical Science
Lab
Phone 214-645-6134
ND7.124B
elliott.ross@utsouthwestern.edu

Ross' group studies how cells process information, particularly through heterotrimeric G proteins: the molecular mechanisms used to detect, sort, amplify and convey information, and how these mechanisms are regulated to provide G protein signaling modules with adaptability and diversity.

Dean Smith, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone 214-648-1650
NA4.320A
dean.smith@utsouthwestern.edu

The Smith lab is interested in the molecular basis of behavior, using volatile pheromone signaling and information processing in Drosophila as a model system.

Paul Sternweis, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Alfred and Mabel Gilman Chair in Molecular Pharmacology
Director, Cell Regulation Graduate Program
Phone 214-645-6149
ND6.120D
paul.sternweis@utsouthwestern.edu

Our research focuses on elucidation of pathways and mechanisms by which cell surface receptors regulate intracellular function. Current studies, which center on G protein pathways, combine biochemical, structural, fluorescent, and cell-based techniques to gain better understanding of both molecular mechanisms and physiological impact of these pathways.

Gurol Süel, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and the Cecil H. and Ida Green Comprehensive Center for Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6369
ND9.200A
gurol.suel@utsouthwestern.edu

We are utilizing single cell measurements of gene circuit dynamics and systems and synthetic biology approaches to uncover potential principles that govern the processes of cellular decision-making and differentiation.

Ronald Taussig, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Phone 214-645-6146
ND6.120C
ronald.taussig@utsouthwestern.edu

Research in my laboratory focuses on signal transduction processes that are mediated by heterotrimeric G proteins. We employ a variety of approaches including biochemical, genetic, and cell based assays toward understanding the regulation of adenylyl cyclase and intracellular cyclic AMP.

Philip Thorpe, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hamon Center, and Radiation Oncology
Serena S. Simmons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Immunopharmacology
Phone 214-648-1268
NC7.304
philip.thorpe@utsouthwestern.edu

This laboratory is developing antibody therapeutics that home selectively to tumor vasculature and destroy it, resulting in the death of tumor cells through starvation of oxygen and nutrients. We are also developing novel antiviral antibodies and cancer imaging agents.

Yihong Wan, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6062
ND8.502A
yihong.wan@utsouthwestern.edu

To understand the transcriptional regulation of development, metabolism and cancer using the skeleton and mammary gland as model systems.

Thomas Wilkie, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Lab
Phone214-645-6175
ND9.300C
thomas.wilkie@utsouthwestern.edu

We study G protein coupled receptor signaling regulating pancreas development, beta cell regeneration in diabetes, and aberrant cell growth and metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Lani Wu, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and the Cecil H. and Ida Green Comprehensive Center for Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology
Lab
Phone 214-645-6182
ND9.202A
lani.wu@utsouthwestern.edu

Hongtao Yu, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Lab
Phone 214-645-6161
ND7.502B
hongtao.yu@utsouthwestern.edu

We study the cellular mechanisms that maintain chromosomal stability using a multidisciplinary approach.

Xuewu Zhang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry
Lab
Phone 214-645-6116
ND7.300CA
xuewu.zhang@usouthwestern.edu

Our laboratory is focused on studying signaling and regulation mechanisms of cell surface receptors, such as the neuron axon guidance receptors plexins. We use multidisciplinary approaches including X-ray crystallography, biophysical, biochemical, and cell-based analyses in our studies.