معرفی
Mirella Meyer-Ficca is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences at Utah State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, promoted in July 2022 after joining as Research Assistant Professor in 2013. She directs graduate courses including Veterinary Toxicology and Environmental Epigenetics, leveraging expertise from postdoctoral training at the University of Arizona and University of Pennsylvania.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Human Genetics and Virology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen (2002), dissertation: "Analyses of Cytotoxicity of the Cardiotropic Coxsackievirus B3 and Development of Strategies for Immortalization of human Cardiomyocytes"
- MS in Biology (Genetics, Human Genetics, Zoology) and Chemistry (Organic Chemistry), University of Kaiserslautern (1997), thesis: "Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of Spermiogenesis in the Rat"
Dr. Meyer-Ficca investigates how environmental toxicants, dietary conditions, and aging alter the paternal germ-line epigenome to influence offspring health. Her lab uses niacin-dependent mouse models to study NAD decline effects on sperm quality, focusing on epigenetic marks like DNA methylation and histone modifications. This work aims to develop interventions for diseases like diabetes and autism linked to epigenetic dysregulation.
Her 15 most recent publications (2025-2018) reveal a cohesive research trajectory centered on poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism in spermatogenesis, NAD+ biosynthesis, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Key themes include reproductive aging, environmental toxicology impacts on sperm epigenetics, and niacin's role in mitigating age-related NAD decline, with applications in veterinary and human health.
Major honors include:
- Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Award (College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, 2024)
- ADVS Faculty Researcher of the Year (USU ADVS, 2019)
- Susan Heyner Award for Excellence in Research (University of Pennsylvania, 2011)
- Special Recognition Award in Basic Science (American Association for Cancer Research, 2004)
She has mentored three graduate students to completion: Morgan Feuz (Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences, 2023), Laura Miller (Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences, 2022), and Micah Forbush (Animal, Dairy & Vet Sciences, 2020-2021). Her research is supported by grants investigating epigenetic mechanisms in reproductive toxicology, with recent funding enabling NAD metabolism studies in aging models.
Dr. Meyer-Ficca leads a research team at USU utilizing advanced molecular techniques to analyze chromatin remodeling during spermatogenesis, with active collaborations in veterinary pharmacology and environmental health addressing real-world impacts of toxicant exposure on reproductive outcomes.
