Andrew VanDemark

Dr. Andrew VanDemark is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on structural biology, protein function, and molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes such as gene transcription, mitochondrial morphology, and host-phage interactions. He earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Utah before joining Pitt in 2007.

His lab employs structural, biochemical, and cell-based approaches to study protein interactions, including those involving the Paf1 complex, Shroom proteins, and mycobacteriophage integrases. Key research areas include the molecular basis of neural tube closure defects, mechanisms of serine integrases, and the role of GDAP1 in mitochondrial dynamics. His work has been published in journals like Journal of Biological Chemistry, Nature Communications, and Science.

Dr. VanDemark mentors undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers, with notable advisees including Jenna Zalewski and Collin Smith. His lab is affiliated with the Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) Program and the Molecular Biophysics & Structural Biology Program (MBSB).

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University (2001)
  • Postdoctoral Research, University of Utah (2001–2007)
• Awards: None explicitly listed in the text.
• Grants/Projects: Research funded by NIH and other grants, focusing on structural biology and disease mechanisms.
• Labs/Teams: VanDemark Lab at University of Pittsburgh, collaborating with institutions like the Molecular Biophysics Program.