Adrienne Wang

Adrienne Wang, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University (WWU), located within the College of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on aging and neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging fruit fly (Drosophila) models to explore mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and mitochondrial dysfunction. She holds a B.A. in Molecular Cell Biology (UC Berkeley, 2001) and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience (University of Michigan, 2011). Her postdoctoral work at the University of Washington (2012–2017) centered on aging mechanisms and neurodegeneration. Key research areas include Rapamycin’s effects on mitochondrial disease, molecular pathways modulating aging, and innate immune responses triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Education:

• B.A. in Molecular Cell Biology with Neurobiology emphasis, UC Berkeley (2001)
• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of Michigan (2011)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington (2012–2017)

Research Interests: Her lab investigates how aging-related molecular changes influence neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s and mitochondrial disorders. Recent studies highlight pathways like TOR inhibition via Rapamycin and the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction and immune responses. These findings bridge basic science and translational research, emphasizing cross-species applicability.

Awards & Recognition: No explicit scientific awards listed, though her work has been highlighted in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2013).

Advising & Grants: No formal advisee list provided. Her lab focuses on collaborative research, with funding likely tied to grant-supported projects not explicitly detailed here.

Labs/Teams: The Wang Lab at WWU uses Drosophila genetics to study aging and neurodegeneration, with a focus on mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets. The lab’s website (https://wp.wwu.edu/wanglab/) provides additional details on ongoing projects and collaborations.