Ana Maria Oyarce

Ana Maria Oyarce is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. With over 30 years of experience in academia, she has held various roles including Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor, Visiting Assistant Professor, and Lecturer before her current appointment since 2020.

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Georgetown University
• M.S. and B.S. in Biochemistry from University of Concepcion, Chile

Her research spans neuropeptide processing, hormonal signaling, metabolic regulation, and medical education innovation, focusing on:

• Mechanisms of dopamine β-monooxygenase trafficking
• Endocrine disruptor effects on neuroendocrine cells
• PPAR activation in fatty acid oxidation regulation
• Insulin signaling pathways in hepatic metabolism
• Equity-based educational strategies in pharmacology instruction

Key publication themes include:

• 2010s: PPAR agonists for metabolic disease, insulin sensitivity mechanisms
• 1990s-2000s: Neuroendocrine protein trafficking, pituitary/adrenal cell biology
• 1980s: Comparative enzymology, chromatin dynamics in reproduction

She actively contributes to academic governance as:

• Editor/Reviewer for HAPS Educator Journal
• Chair of Human Diversity Committee
• Member of Curriculum Committee and Latino Scholarship Committee