Sophia Lunt

Sophia Lunt is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at Michigan State University, where she has been since 2015 (Assistant Professor 2015-2021, Associate Professor 2021-2025, Professor 2025-present). She leads the Lunt Lab, focusing on cancer metabolism, particularly metabolic reprogramming in tumor proliferation, heterogeneity, and metastasis. Her work combines mass spectrometry, genetic cancer models, cell biology, and fluorescent agents to develop targeted cancer therapies.

• Ph.D. (2010) & B.S. (2005) in Chemistry
• Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT (2010-2015)
• NSF CAREER awardee (2019)
• 20+ peer-reviewed publications since 2007

Research Focus:

• Cancer metabolism (Warburg effect, PHGDH heterogeneity, TIGAR regulation)
• Photodynamic therapy (counterion-tuned agents, metal halide nanoclusters)
• Metabolomics (tumor-immune interactions, microbiome effects)

Selected Scientific Awards:

• 2022 MSU College of Natural Science Teacher-Scholar Award
• 2022 MSU BMB Teaching Award
• 2020 MANA Young Investigator Award
• 2019 NSF CAREER & METAvivor Early Career Investigator Awards

Her teaching includes BMB 101: Frontiers in Biochemistry (curriculum overhaul for freshman success) and BMB 461: Advanced Biochemistry I, covering metabolic regulation and pathways.