Erika Geisbrecht

Dr. Erika Geisbrecht is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics at Kansas State University, where she also serves as an Undergraduate Advisor. Her research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying muscle development and maintenance, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.

Education:

• B.S., The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (1996)
• Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (2003)

Dr. Geisbrecht's research program investigates the formation and maintenance of muscle and heart tissue, with a particular focus on the biochemistry and molecular genetics of Drosophila. Her laboratory seeks to characterize molecules and signaling pathways that regulate the formation and stability of muscle-tendon interfaces and the maintenance of mature, contractile myofibers. The Geisbrecht Lab employs a combination of genetic, biochemical, and imaging techniques to achieve these goals, with the long-term aim of understanding how defects in muscle development and maintenance may lead to human myopathies.

An analysis of Dr. Geisbrecht's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on muscle development and maintenance using Drosophila as a model system. Her work spans multiple areas including autophagy, mitochondrial function, protein degradation pathways, muscle attachment mechanisms, and cellular signaling during development. A recurring theme is the investigation of specific proteins (such as NUAK, TRIM32, Thin, and Moleskin) and their roles in muscle formation, stability, and function.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Johnson Cancer Research Center faculty member
• Her laboratory has received support from the American Heart Association (pre-doctoral fellowships for graduate students)
• NSF GK-12 EIDRoP Fellowship (2014-2015)
• Johnson Cancer Research Center summer stipend support for graduate students

Dr. Geisbrecht actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with several of her trainees receiving prestigious fellowships including American Heart Association pre-doctoral fellowships. She has established partnerships with local schools, including Junction City High School, to integrate research experiences into K-12 classrooms. Her lab also receives research funding from various sources including the Johnson Cancer Research Center.

The Geisbrecht Lab maintains active collaborations with researchers at the University of Missouri Kansas-City and participates in community outreach through programs like EXCITE! Workshop (KAWSE) and Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (KS-LSAMP). The lab also engages in creative outreach initiatives, including submissions to the KCALSI Annual Dinner's 'Science to Art' theme, demonstrating the intersection of scientific research and artistic expression.