Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed

Dr. Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Hope College, where she joined the faculty in 2016. Her research and teaching are focused in biochemistry, specifically studying the biochemical mechanisms that control mitochondrial function.

Dr. Dittenhafer-Reed earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Hope College (2009), followed by a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2014), and completed postdoctoral training at the Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute (2014-2016).

Her research focuses on understanding fundamental biochemical processes occurring in mitochondria, often considered the powerhouse of the cell. The Dittenhafer-Reed lab employs biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology approaches to explore how processes within mitochondria work in a healthy context to enable avenues for the treatment of conditions caused when mitochondria are not functioning properly. Specifically, her lab investigates how the expression of mitochondrial DNA is regulated and how the mitochondria and nucleus communicate to meet varying energetic demands of a cell.

• Understanding mitochondrial function in human health and disease
• Mechanisms of control of mitochondrial DNA transcription
• Regulation of mitochondrial gene expression
• Post-translational modifications in mitochondrial regulation

Analysis of Dr. Dittenhafer-Reed's publications reveals a consistent focus on mitochondrial biochemistry, particularly the role of sirtuins (especially SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial metabolism through protein deacetylation. Her work bridges fundamental biochemical mechanisms with implications for metabolic diseases, aging, and neurological disorders. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in techniques, moving from basic enzymology to systems-level approaches including proteomics and multi-tissue metabolic coordination.

Dr. Dittenhafer-Reed has received significant recognition for her work:

• National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2022)
• Schaap Research Fellow (2020-2025)
• National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant (2020-2023)
• Hope College 10 under 10 Alumni Award (2019)
• Towsley Research Scholar (2019)

As an active researcher at an undergraduate institution, Dr. Dittenhafer-Reed maintains a robust research program that integrates undergraduate students into meaningful scientific discovery. Her laboratory has secured competitive external funding from the National Science Foundation and other sources, enabling state-of-the-art research while providing valuable training opportunities for students. Her work on mitochondrial transcription regulation represents a significant contribution to understanding how cells maintain energy homeostasis.

The Dittenhafer-Reed Research Group operates within the Department of Chemistry at Hope College, utilizing biochemical, molecular, and cell biological approaches to investigate mitochondrial function. The lab's work on mitochondrial nucleoid proteins and transcriptional regulation has positioned it at the forefront of understanding how mitochondrial gene expression is controlled in response to cellular energy demands.