Mitchell Omar

Mitchell Omar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research group, the Omar Lab, investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying human health and disease, with a focus on adrenal physiology and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling.

Education:

• B.A. English, Minnesota State University Moorhead (2007)
• B.S. Biology, University of Iowa (2011)
• Ph.D. Neuroscience, Yale University (2017)

Research Interests:

The Omar Lab explores how cells achieve spatial and temporal organization of proteins despite the crowded intracellular environment. Key areas include:

• Mechanisms of protein complex formation and subcellular recruitment
• Role of protein kinase A (PKA) in adrenal stress hormone production
• Impact of PKA dysregulation on tumor growth and neuronal function
• Use of CRISPR gene-editing, proximity proteomics, and live-cell imaging

Research Trends:

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on PKA signaling and its misregulation in diseases like Cushing’s syndrome and fibrolamellar carcinoma. The work spans from biochemical characterization of mutant PKA proteins to in vivo targeting strategies, reflecting a translational approach to molecular endocrinology.

Contact Information:

• Email: momar@unr.edu
• Office: HMS Building, Room 154
• Phone: (775) 784-1327

Laboratory & Future Work:

The Omar Lab is actively engaged in uncovering how cellular organization influences physiology and pathology. Future directions include expanding the use of proximity proteomics to map PKA interactomes in disease contexts and developing targeted therapies for adrenal and neuronal disorders.