Agnes Karasik

Agnes Karasik is an Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University, specializing in RNA Biology and Biochemistry. Her research explores the molecular mechanisms of RNA cleavage in human health and disease, with a focus on RNase L and mitochondrial RNase P enzymes.

• MSc: Institute of Enzymology, Hungary (ABC transporters in cancer drug resistance)
• PhD: Uniformed Services University, USA (RNA Biology, PRORP enzymes, mitochondrial diseases)
• Postdoc: NIDDK (NIH) (RNase L, innate immunity, translational stress)

Her work combines enzymology, structural biology, and high-throughput sequencing to investigate how RNA cleavage regulates gene expression, immune signaling, and disease pathogenesis. Key questions include RNase target specificity, activity modulation, and therapeutic applications for RNA cleavage mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight her focus on RNase L’s role in innate immunity (2024-2025), RNA processing in mitochondrial diseases (2016-2021), and inhibitor mechanisms for RNA enzymes (2017-2022). She employs cutting-edge techniques like ribosome profiling and Nanopore sequencing to dissect cellular responses to RNA fragmentation.

• American Heart Association pre-doctoral fellowship
• NIGMS K99/R00 award

Her lab will open in August 2025, continuing investigations into RNase activity’s impact on human health. She is affiliated with the Biological Sciences Building and applies interdisciplinary approaches to bridge fundamental RNA discoveries with clinical applications.