Quynh Chu-LaGraff

Quynh Chu-LaGraff is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Chair of the Biology Department at Union College. She holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on developmental neurobiology using Drosophila models and investigating mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions in neurological disorders like Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs). She teaches courses in molecular biology, neurobiology, and cellular neuroscience.

• Education: A.B., Cornell University; Ph.D., University of Illinois

Research emphasizes mechanisms of CNS development and pathogenic pathways in NCLs, particularly mitochondrial dynamics in patient fibroblasts. Her work bridges developmental biology with neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

Publications span from mitochondrial dysfunction studies to Drosophila enzyme characterization and Huntington’s disease models. She advises student researchers and leads departmental initiatives as Chair.