معرفی
Jorge Sierra Fonseca is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience in the College of Arts & Sciences at Chatham University, where he has been a faculty member since 2021. His research is centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which chronic stress contributes to neurodegenerative disorders. He leads the Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Lab and employs diverse models including cell cultures, Drosophila, and rodent systems.
- Ph.D. in Pathobiology, University of Texas at El Paso, 2014
- Postdoctoral Training, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 2015
- Postdoctoral Training, University of Texas at El Paso, 2020
- B.S. in Biology, Autonomous University of Juarez, 2007
His research interests span neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and toxicology, with a focus on stress, neurodegeneration, neuropathology, proteostasis, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal dynamics. He investigates how chronic and early-life stress disrupt protein homeostasis and neuronal signaling, increasing susceptibility to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
His recent publications (2014–2022) reveal a consistent research trajectory in stress-induced neurobiological changes, particularly examining synaptic protein expression, tau pathology, autophagy, and behavioral outcomes in animal models. The work frequently involves collaborations and uses in vitro and in vivo approaches to bridge molecular mechanisms with functional outcomes.
Dr. Sierra Fonseca has received several scientific awards and research funding, including the Mary S. and John Kostalos, Jr. Foundation award (2022), Chatham University research funding (2021, 2022), and the VIDA: CARTT postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018–2020). He is also recognized for academic excellence and travel support throughout his training.
He actively mentors students in research and encourages interested individuals to join his lab. His collaborative network includes researchers at institutions such as Washington & Jefferson College and the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Sierra Fonseca is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience, and the Mexican Society for Biochemistry.
