Amy Barrios

Amy Barrios is a Professor of Biochemistry and Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Utah, serving as Associate Dean of Postdoc Affairs. Her research focuses on protein phosphorylation mechanisms, chemical probe development, and metals in medicine, with direct applications to immune dysregulation, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. from the University of Utah
• Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dr. Barrios' research program addresses critical gaps in understanding protein phosphatases through innovative chemical biology approaches. Her lab specializes in developing fluorogenic and luminogenic probes to visualize enzyme activity in cellular contexts, investigating phosphorylation's structural and functional consequences, and identifying selective inhibitors for therapeutic development. Key research thrusts include targeting phosphatases involved in autoimmune diseases, cancer progression, and nerve regeneration pathways, with emphasis on translating basic discoveries into druggable leads.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory in chemical probe engineering for phosphatase study, spanning fluorogenic assay development, natural product-based inhibitor discovery (notably illudalic acid derivatives), and metalloenzyme investigation. Her work demonstrates increasing integration of disease-relevant models, particularly in neurological regeneration and sulfide metabolism, while maintaining strong methodological innovation in chemical biology tools.

No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the source material.

As principal investigator of the Barrios Lab, she oversees a research program that trains graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in chemical biology techniques. While specific grant details weren't provided, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals indicates sustained NIH or equivalent funding support for her phosphatase-focused research.

The Barrios Lab operates at the chemistry-biology interface, utilizing organic synthesis, enzyme kinetics, cellular imaging, and structural analysis to develop chemical tools for phosphatase investigation. Current work emphasizes translational applications in cancer therapeutics and neurological repair, with active exploration of metal-containing systems relevant to hydrogen sulfide signaling pathways.