Charles Najt

Charles Najt, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Cardiometabolic and Mitochondrial Energetics at the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on lipid metabolism’s role in diseases like NAFLD, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disorders, with emphasis on healthspan extension. He holds a PhD and BS from Michigan State University (2016, 2011).

Education:

• Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 2016
• B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 2011

Research Interests: Dr. Najt’s lab investigates lipid droplet signaling, particularly the roles of Perilipin 5 (PLIN5) in metabolic health and longevity. PLIN5 links ATGL-mediated lipolysis to SIRT1 activation, influencing mitochondrial biogenesis and inflammation suppression. His work also explores PLIN2’s pro-inflammatory effects in NAFLD and heart disease. Environmental adaptations like caloric restriction enhance PLIN5 expression, highlighting its role in stress resilience. Awards:

• Paul D. Boyer and James B. Peter Award (2021)
• NIH/NIA K99 Pathway to Independence (2021)
• American Heart Association Fellowship (2019)

Grants & Advising: His NIH-funded work on mitochondrial energetics and aging mechanisms drives collaborative projects. Lab activities include proteomic studies on sarcoidosis and lipid droplet dynamics in Drosophila models.

Labs/Teams: The Najt Lab at Virginia Tech specializes in lipid signaling and metabolic health, integrating molecular, cellular, and organismal approaches to bridge basic science and translational medicine.