James Olzmann

James Olzmann is a Professor of Molecular Therapeutics and Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on cellular lipid homeostasis, with particular attention to lipid droplet biology and ferroptosis mechanisms. He leads the Olzmann Research Group, which employs interdisciplinary strategies including CRISPR screens, chemical biology, and cell biology to understand lipid storage and oxidative damage pathways.

Research interests include ferroptosis suppression via FSP1, lipid droplet dynamics, and translational therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism. Recent work includes discoveries of FSP1's role in antioxidant activity (Nature, 2019), selenium-dependent ferroptosis resistance mechanisms (Nature Cell Biology, 2024), and lipid droplet quality control (Cell Chemical Biology, 2025).

Key projects address lipotoxicity, organelle crosstalk in lipid homeostasis, and small-molecule drug development. Collaborations with the Nomura and Zoncu labs have advanced proteomic profiling and targeted protein degradation strategies. His lab has pioneered methods like proximity labeling for lipid droplet proteomics (Developmental Cell, 2018) and CRISPR-based pathway dissection.

Publications highlight breakthroughs in ferroptosis mechanisms, lipid metabolism, and translational medicine. Current efforts aim to develop ferroptosis-based cancer therapies and elucidate lipid droplet functions in health/disease contexts like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.