Cynthia Corley Mastick

Cynthia Corley Mastick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, with extensive expertise in adipose tissue biochemistry and cell biology related to diabetes and metabolic disorders. She has maintained a continuous academic career at the University of Nevada since 1998, progressing through the ranks from Assistant to Associate Professor across multiple departments including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and currently Biology.

Dr. Mastick earned her B.S. in Biology and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by post-doctoral training at Dartmouth Medical School. Her research program has consistently focused on the cellular mechanisms of glucose transport, particularly GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes, with more recent work exploring sympathetic innervation of adipose tissue. She has established herself as a leading researcher in understanding how fat depots are mobilized through sympathetic nerve stimulation of adipocytes and how this process is remodeled in metabolic disease.

Dr. Mastick's publication record spans over three decades and demonstrates remarkable continuity in investigating membrane trafficking mechanisms, particularly GLUT4 translocation in response to insulin. Her recent work has made significant contributions to understanding Rab GTPase proteins in GLUT4 trafficking pathways, high-throughput screening for insulin-regulatory pathways, and the role of syntaxin-4 in adiponectin secretion. Her research integrates cell biological, biochemical, and imaging approaches to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying metabolic regulation in adipose tissue.

As an educator, Dr. Mastick has taught multiple courses including BIOL 315 (Cell Biology), BIOL 450 (Special Topics - Genetic Determinants of Health), and BIOL 482 (Cell Biology of Disease). She has held significant leadership roles including Director of the Biotechnology BS/MS Interdisciplinary degree program (2003-2005), Director of MED 631 Foundations and Principles of Medical Science (2012-2016), and Content Coordinator for Genetics at UNRMed (1999-2020). Her curriculum development work has helped shape medical education at the University of Nevada.