J. Josh Lawrence

Dr. J. Josh Lawrence is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. His research program focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on nutrient-gene interactions and their impact on brain health.

Dr. Lawrence's research interests span nutrigenomics, cellular and synaptic physiology of Alzheimer's disease, the role of excitation/inhibition balance in disease states, hippocampal learning and memory circuitry, GABAergic inhibition, cell type specificity of neuromodulation, antioxidant depletion over lifespan, neuroinflammation, and the effects of diet on healthy aging. His work uniquely bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications for neurodegenerative disorders.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the connections between vitamin metabolism and neurodegeneration, with particular attention to how vitamin A and D homeostasis disruption contributes to Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Dr. Lawrence employs innovative multidisciplinary approaches combining behavioral neuroscience, single-cell transcriptomics, and circuit analysis to uncover novel therapeutic targets.

• NIH R01 Grant AG071859-01A1 ($1,872,220; 2022-2026): Transcriptional Dysfunction in Dentate Gyrus Cell Types
• NIH R01 Grant AG073826-01A1 ($3,158,615; 2022-2027): Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Dr. Lawrence actively mentors graduate students and collaborates with researchers across disciplines to advance understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms and develop novel interventions for cognitive decline. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques in molecular neuroscience, bioinformatics, and behavioral assessment to address critical questions in Alzheimer's research.