About
Dr. Sara Nowinski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming at Van Andel Institute (VAI). Her research focuses on mitochondrial biology, particularly the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) pathway and its role in cellular energy regulation. She leads the Nowinski Laboratory, investigating how mitochondria coordinate nutrient availability with respiratory capacity to influence diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr. Nowinski earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by postdoctoral training in Dr. Jared P. Rutter’s lab at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She joined VAI in 2021, bringing accolades including fellowships from the American Cancer Society and United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
Her lab’s research reveals how mtFAS regulates mitochondrial function through acetyl-CoA-dependent mechanisms, impacting energy production and cell fate decisions. This work has identified novel therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases. Recent studies include a $2.4M award to investigate mitochondrial function in health and disease.
Lab Team
- Madeleine Hart, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow)
- Samuel Preston, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow)
- Riley Wedan (Ph.D. Student)
Awards
- $2.4M award (2023)
- American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship
- United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Fellowship
Collaborations include work with VAI’s Graduate School and initiatives like the VAI-SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team. Her lab actively seeks postdoctoral researchers to advance metabolic research.
