Johann Urschitz

Johann Urschitz, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology within the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms linking placental dysfunction to fetal development and long-term health outcomes, with an emphasis on in utero nutrient disturbances and environmental factors like microplastic pollution.

• Engineering Degree, University of Applied Sciences Mannheim
• PhD, University of Hawaii (UH)

The Urschitz lab investigates:

• Placental signaling pathways (mTOR, PPARG) regulating fetal growth
• Temporal and spatial modulation of placental function using sonoporation
• Microplastic particle interactions with placental microenvironment
• Developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)

His recent publications highlight trends in:

• Mechanistic studies of placental amino acid transport and mTOR activation
• Environmental toxicology approaches to maternal-fetal health
• Transposase-based gene delivery systems for biomedical research