Alan P Robertson

Alan P Robertson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Iowa State University. His research focuses on anthelmintic drug mechanisms, nematode neurobiology, and ion channel pharmacology. Key interests include understanding how drugs like emodepside and diethylcarbamazine interact with parasitic nematodes' ion channels and neurophysiological systems. He has extensively studied species such as Brugia malayi, Ascaris suum, and Toxocara canis.

His work explores drug synergies (e.g., Cry5B/levamisole), resistance mechanisms, and novel drug targets such as SLO-1 potassium channels and TRP-2 calcium channels. He also investigates microglial neuroinflammation responses to organic dust exposure. Over 60 publications span parasitology, pharmacology, and drug discovery, with contributions to understanding the mode of action of established drugs like ivermectin and emerging compounds like GoSlo-SR-5-69.

Research highlights include: (1) discovering emodepside's sex-dependent effects via SLO-1 splicing; (2) identifying TRP-2's role in diethylcarbamazine potentiation; (3) characterizing ACR-16 nicotinic receptors as drug targets; and (4) evaluating plant extracts (Daniellia/ Psorospermum) for antifilarial activity. No specific grants or awards are listed, but his work impacts global parasite control strategies.