Pia Vogel

Pia Vogel is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where she leads research on nucleotide-binding proteins using Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Her work focuses on elucidating structural mechanisms in ATP synthase, multidrug resistance transporters, and calcium channels with biomedical applications in cancer therapy and neurodegenerative diseases.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Kaiserlautern

Dr. Vogel's research program investigates three interconnected domains: the rotary mechanics of FoF1-ATP synthase (particularly the external stalk subunit b-dimer), the structural basis of multidrug resistance in P-glycoprotein and MRPs, and ATP-regulated calcium release via ryanodine receptors. Her laboratory employs site-specific spin labeling, ESR spectroscopy, and computational modeling to resolve protein dynamics and interactions at molecular resolution, contributing to understanding energy transduction in ATP synthase and mechanisms of drug resistance.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a dominant focus on developing and characterizing P-glycoprotein and BCRP inhibitors to overcome chemotherapy resistance in cancer. These studies integrate computational screening, ATPase assays, and cell-based models to evaluate inhibitor efficacy, with emerging applications in Alzheimer's research through amyloid-β transport studies. The work demonstrates consistent methodological synergy between biophysical characterization and therapeutic development.

Dr. Vogel maintains an active research group supported by sustained funding, evidenced by continuous publication output and laboratory infrastructure. Her team employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning biophysics, biochemistry, and computational biology to address fundamental questions in membrane protein function.

Her laboratory facilities in DLSB 221 include specialized Electron Spin Resonance instrumentation and dual Linux computing clusters for molecular dynamics simulations. The research environment supports collaborative projects extending her work into cancer therapeutics and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms through partnerships with clinical and computational researchers.