Melissa Hoyer

Melissa Hoyer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurodegenerative Science at Van Andel Institute. Her research focuses on understanding organelle quality control mechanisms in neurons, particularly the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in neurodegenerative diseases. She leads the Hoyer Laboratory, which employs advanced techniques such as quantitative proteomics and cryo-electron tomography to study ER-phagy and lysophagy.

Education: B.S. in Molecular Biology and Chemistry from the University of Wyoming; Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado (advisor: Dr. Gia Voeltz). Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School under Dr. J. Wade Harper, investigating stem cell differentiation and organelle quality control. Awards include the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and Jane Coffin Child Fellowship.

Research Interests: Neurodegeneration, ER structure/function, autophagy mechanisms, neuronal organelle dynamics, and protein degradation pathways linked to Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. The lab’s work integrates molecular biology, cell imaging, and proteomics to elucidate how ER quality control systems maintain neuronal health.

Team: Includes postdoctoral fellow Ahlam Soliman (mentored by Dr. Hoyer) and student intern Brianna Hofman. Collaborators span Van Andel Institute and Harvard Medical School. Recent achievements include defining ER-phagy’s role in neurogenesis and identifying lysosome turnover mechanisms via lysophagy.

Impact: Contributions to understanding organelle dynamics have advanced therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Lab focuses on translating basic research discoveries into prevention approaches targeting cellular quality control deficits.