Adam Avery

Adam Avery, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry within Oakland University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on cytoskeletal proteins, particularly the spectrin superfamily, and their role in neurological and cardiac disorders through molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Minnesota (2012-2018)
• Research Scientist, Originus, Inc. (2006-2012)
• Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan (2001-2006)
• B.S. in Biochemistry, Oakland University (1997-2001)

Research Focus: Dr. Avery's laboratory investigates how mutations in β-spectrin and α-actinin cause brain and heart disorders at the molecular level. His team combines in vitro biochemical techniques—including quantitative time-resolved FRET assays—with Drosophila melanogaster genetics to study spectrin's role in dendritic arbor formation and neuronal function. A key translational effort involves high-throughput drug screening with University of Minnesota collaborators to identify small-molecule modulators of mutant spectrin proteins.

Publication Trends: Recent work (2016-2017) centers on β-III-spectrin mutations in spinocerebellar ataxia, revealing structural mechanisms of actin binding dysfunction and cytoskeletal impacts on neuronal morphology. Publications span structural biology, neurobiology, and translational drug discovery, consistently leveraging Drosophila models to bridge molecular findings with organism-level phenotypes.

Honors:

• Michael B. O'Connor Outstanding Postdoc Award (2018)
• Minnesota Muscle Training Program Fellowship (2016-2018)
• National Ataxia Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship (2014)
• Cellular Biotechnology Training Program Pre-doctoral Fellowship (2002-2005)

Training & Collaboration: Dr. Avery mentors undergraduate and graduate students in a multidisciplinary environment spanning single-molecule biophysics and whole-organism genetics. His drug-discovery pipeline involves active collaboration with University of Minnesota researchers, though specific grant mechanisms are not detailed in available materials.

Laboratory Approach: The Avery Lab integrates quantitative biochemistry, live-cell imaging, and Drosophila genetics to dissect spectrin-family protein functions, emphasizing how disease mutations alter molecular interactions and neuronal architecture while pursuing therapeutic interventions.