Daniela Zarnescu

Daniela Zarnescu is a Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training at the Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Cell and Biological Systems. She also leads research in the Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals (CCNPP). Her work focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), using Drosophila models to study TDP-43 proteinopathies and RNA dysregulation.

Key research areas include understanding metabolic alterations in ALS, identifying neuroprotective molecules, and exploring RNA-protein interactions. She has secured grants from the U.S. Army, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and other institutions, supporting projects like 'Novel Small Molecules with Neuroprotective Potential in ALS' and 'Translation dysregulation in neurodegeneration.'

Zarnescu's research has led to over 54 publications and an h-index of 29. Her team’s work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Notably, she received the 2024 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, reflecting her commitment to education and mentoring.

Her lab collaborates internationally, with active projects investigating TDP-43-RNA interactions, metabolic pathways in neurodegeneration, and drug discovery for ALS. This work bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into therapeutic strategies.