Kathryn Meier

Kathryn Meier is a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She serves as the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and holds a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of California, San Diego.

• Education:
  • PhD in pharmacology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Bachelor of Arts in biology, cum laude, University of California, San Diego

Research Interests: Her laboratory investigates the molecular pharmacology of signal transduction, particularly focusing on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids inhibit cancer growth. Key model systems include prostate and breast cancer cells, with a special emphasis on lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as an autocrine/paracrine mediator of growth and inflammation. She also explores adhesion signaling proteins like FAK and CCNs and their regulation by growth factors.

Teaching: Dr. Meier currently teaches PharmSci 530 "Foundations of Cellular Regulation" (instructor of record) and delivers two lectures in PharmSci 579 "Introduction to Research", alongside guest lectures in other courses.

Publication Trends: Her work spans phospholipase D functions, LPA signaling in cancer, adhesion protein dynamics, and omega-3 fatty acid mechanisms. Recent studies highlight the interplay between growth factors (e.g., EGF) and LPA in oncology.