A Message From the Director
The Lipid Metabolism and Neurodegenerative Disease (LMND) Program is a unique collaborative initiative between the Department of Cell Biology and O’Donnell Brain Institute (OBI). Created in 2025, its purpose is to connect basic and clinical scientists to each other, and to technologies that enable the study of metabolism and neurological diseases. Focuses of the LMND include stimulating collaborative opportunities across UTSW campus, as well as hosting renowned speakers and events that create forums and opportunities where scientists and trainees can learn, share ideas, and build collaborative partnerships.
W. Mike Henne, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Martha Lee Foster Professor in Brain Science & Medicine
Director, LMND Program
Upcoming LMND Events
Core Showcase Series
This Showcase Series is designed to connect UTSW scientists and trainees to new and exciting technologies offered by our main core facilities. Each event will feature 2-3 speakers and provide a venue to showcase core technologies, as well as answer questions.
Monday, October 27, 2025 - Marcel Mettlen, Ph.D., Natalia Gunko, Ph.D., Anke Henning, Ph.D.
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: NG3.112
Hosts: Mike Henne, Ph.D., Deb Carlson, Ph.D.
In collaboration with Dr. Deborah Carlson, Assistant Professor, Assistant Dean for Basic Research Support Facilities; and the Office of the Provost, we will host our first core showcase series event on Monday, October 27. Our first showcase event will feature short talks by Dr. Marcel Mettlen, Associate Professor, Director of the Quantitative Light Microscopy Core; Dr. Natalia Gunko, Associate Professor, Director of the Electron Microscopy Core Facility; and Dr. Anke Henning, Professor, Director of the Advanced Imaging Research Center. Light snacks and refreshments will be available after the event.
LMND Distinguished Lecture Series
The LMND Distinguished Lecture Series features leading edge scientists, publishing editors, and other members of the scientific community, and provide opportunities to learn about the latest discoveries in neurobiology, lipid metabolism, organelle biology, and neurodegenerative fields.
Friday, April 17, 2026 – Antonia De Maio, Ph.D.
Time: Noon
Location: TBA
Dr. De Maio is a Senior Scientific Editor at Cell Reports and Consulting Editor at Cell Metabolism. The LMND is hosting Dr. De Maio on April 17, 2026, to meet with trainees and PIs interested in publishing with Cell Press. She will speak at a trainee breakfast to discuss her experiences in the publishing career, as well as present a seminar at noon discussing publishing strategies and answer questions about Cell Press. Please email Dr. W. Mike Henne if you are interested in meeting with Dr. De Maio during her visit. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 – Roberto Zoncu, Ph.D.
Time: Noon
Location: TBA
A leader in the cell biology and metabolism communities, Dr. Zoncu is currently a Professor at UC Berkeley whose lab studies the cell and organelle biology of lysosome dysfunction in the context of many neurological diseases. In his distinguished lecture, Dr. Zoncu will speak on his recent work as well as discuss current challenges and breakthroughs in the lipid metabolism and neurodegenerative fields. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
