معرفی
Josh Owens is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Lipscomb University, focusing on fat metabolism's role in cancer exacerbation and discovering novel therapeutic molecules. He leads a lab funded by the Christian Scholars’ Foundation’s Junior Faculty Grant (2022). His research integrates microbiome studies, immunology, and metabolic pathways. Key projects include identifying the obesogenic microbial metabolite delta-valerobetaine and exploring probiotics like Lactococcus lactis for health benefits.
Educational Background:
- B.S. in Molecular Biology, Lipscomb University (2016)
- PhD in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University (2021)
Research Interests:
- Cancer immunology and metabolic pathways
- Microbiome-driven modulation of host immunity/metabolism
- Probiotics as therapeutic agents for obesity and cancer
- Epithelial repair mechanisms in gastrointestinal disorders
- Maternal dietary influences on offspring health
Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes microbiome interactions (probiotics’ antitumor effects, TLR2 signaling pathways), metabolic consequences of diets (butyrate supplementation, western-style diet impacts), and SARS-CoV-2 antibody profiling. Themes include translational applications and mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis.
Awards:
- Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA F31 Award (2021)
Grants & Advising:
- Led Christian Scholars’ Foundation grant (2022)
- Focuses on student mentorship for graduate/professional schools
Labs/Teams: Active in Lipscomb’s Biology department, collaborating on projects linking microbiome research to clinical outcomes in metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases.
