معرفی
Lizbeth de la Cruz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University. Her research focuses on understanding how pancreatic β-cells function across the lifespan, particularly in relation to aging and metabolic diseases like diabetes. She employs electrophysiology, calcium imaging, lipid mass spectrometry, and 3D modeling to study β-cell electrical properties, insulin release mechanisms, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in aging-related dysfunction.
- Education: Ph.D. (2017) and B.S. (2012) in Biological Sciences from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Her research interests include β-cell excitability, phosphoinositide dynamics, and the interplay between sympathetic nervous system regulation and metabolic health. Key studies investigate how aging impacts insulin secretion pathways and sympathetic nerve function in pancreatic islets. She has pioneered techniques integrating electrophysiology with tissue-clearing methods to visualize β-cell networks in aged tissues.
Publications highlight contributions to understanding phosphoinositide metabolism in neurons and β-cells, as well as population-level studies on metabolic disorders in Mexican communities. Her work bridges basic cellular mechanisms with translational research on aging-related diseases.
De la Cruz is committed to science education and outreach, mentoring high school students and publishing articles promoting STEM accessibility. She advocates for diversity in scientific careers through community initiatives and collaborative research programs.
