Joy Alcedo

Joy Alcedo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University, specializing in sensory mechanisms influencing animal physiology and longevity. Her research focuses on how sensory neurons and neuropeptides regulate developmental processes, lifespan, and physiological responses to environmental cues, particularly using C. elegans and Drosophila models.

Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics from the University of Zurich (1997), followed by postdoctoral training in Genetics and Neurobiology of Aging at the University of California, San Francisco (2004). She directs the Alcedo Lab, which explores the molecular and cellular bases of sensory-driven physiological adaptations.

Research Interests: Investigates how sensory systems integrate environmental signals (e.g., diet, chemical cues) to modulate development, reproduction, and longevity. Key areas include insulin-like peptide signaling, neuromedin U pathways, and neuroendocrine regulation of stress resistance. Current projects aim to uncover how neuropeptides encode sensory information to optimize physiological outcomes.

Teaching: Teaches advanced courses in Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, and Molecular Cell Biology, including BIO2550, BIO5610/5620, and BIO6000. Her future courses include Fall 2025's Fundamentals of Cell Biology for Neuroscience.

Labs/Teams: The Alcedo Lab at Wayne State University focuses on interdisciplinary studies combining genetics, neuroscience, and molecular biology to understand survival mechanisms. Collaborates widely, evidenced by co-authorships with institutions like UCSF and the University of Michigan.