Alexander Galkin

Alexander Galkin serves as Associate Professor of Research in Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College (Cornell University) since 2021, focusing on mitochondrial bioenergetics and pathological mechanisms in oxygen-deprivation conditions.

His academic credentials include:

• M.Sc. in Biological Sciences, Moscow State University (1996)
• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Moscow State University (2001)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching, Queen's University Belfast (2009-2010)

Dr. Galkin's research centers on mitochondrial complex I dysfunction in ischemia/reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. His laboratory pioneered discoveries regarding complex I regulation through A/D transitions, monovalent cation effects, cysteine modifications, and flavin loss mechanisms. This work bridges fundamental enzymology with clinical applications in stroke, neonatal hypoxia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial electron flow and ROS generation.

Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in mitochondrial complex I pathology across neurological and transplant contexts. Key trends include tissue-specific complex I damage mechanisms (brain vs. heart), sex-dependent mitochondrial responses, therapeutic rewiring of electron transport, and clinical translation in organ transplantation. His work consistently connects molecular mechanisms of flavin loss and ROS production to neuroprotection strategies.

Dr. Galkin secures significant NIH funding as Principal Investigator:

• NINDS: Metabolic landscape and mitochondrial ROS balance in brain ischemia/reperfusion (2024-2028)
• NHLBI: Mitochondrial proton leak and neonatal brain injury (2023-2028, Subaward)
• NINDS: FMN loss by complex I in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury (2021-2026)
• NINDS: Regulation of complex I active/deactive transition (2014-2017)

He actively recruits graduate students and postdocs for his Mitochondrial Biochemistry Lab, which combines enzymology, molecular biology, and translational medicine to develop therapies for mitochondrial-related pathologies despite current institutional hiring constraints.