Summary
Ruben k. Dagda, Ph.D., is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in cell culture, tissue and animal models of Parkinson's disease. Dr. Dagda has authored in 68 research manuscripts, book chapters and review articles in the areas of toxicology, toxinology, mitochondrial function, and neurobiology. At the University of Nevada School of Medicine, he has trained over more than 30 undergraduate students, 5 graduate students as primary or secondary mentor who received their Ph.D., and trained three postdoctoral scholars in his lab. His main research goals are to elucidate the prosurvival signaling pathways that regulate mitochondrial function, transport and turn-over in neurons and how aging and neurodegenerative diseases negatively impact these processes. The end goal is to develop novel small molecular drugs that can reverse neurodegeneration and elevate mitochondrial function in age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Education
- B.S., Biology, University of Texas at El Paso
- M.S., Biology, University of Texas at El Paso
- Ph.D., Pharmacology, University of Iowa School of Medicine