معرفی
Professor Gunnar Kwakye serves as faculty in the Department of Neuroscience within Oberlin College's College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches specialized courses including Neurotoxicology and Neurodegeneration (NSCI 337), Neurotox Neurodegen Laboratory (NSCI 338), and Neurobiology of Disease (NSCI 381) for Spring and Fall 2025 semesters.
His academic credentials include:
- BS from University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- PhD from Vanderbilt University
Professor Kwakye's research investigates gene-environment interactions in neurodegenerative disorders through molecular genetics, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and cell biology approaches. His laboratory examines how pesticide and metal exposures interact with genetic factors to trigger neuronal dysfunction, utilizing neuronal and glial cell culture models to characterize disease mechanisms and selective neuropathology. The lab integrates high-throughput screening with toxicological and functional analyses to identify pathological pathways.
Collaborative projects within the Kwakye lab focus on innovative therapeutic development, employing computer-aided drug design, genetic editing, and chemical synthesis of organic/inorganic probes to target neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This multidisciplinary work aims to translate mechanistic insights into neuroprotective strategies for environmentally induced neurological disorders.
Mentorship forms a core component of Professor Kwakye's academic role, with undergraduate researchers in his lab pursuing advanced opportunities including Goldwater Scholarships and internships at institutions like the Elahi Lab at Mount Sinai and Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center.
