Sarah Cohen

Sarah Cohen, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine. Her research focuses on lipid trafficking and organelle dynamics using advanced microscopy techniques such as live-cell imaging and superresolution microscopy. The Cohen Lab investigates how lipid transport between cells contributes to metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on astrocyte-neuron interactions and lipid droplet biology.

Educated at the University of British Columbia (BSc, PhD), Cohen completed postdoctoral training at the NIH. Her work has been supported by prestigious awards including the NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award and the Fellows Award for Research Excellence from NIH.

Key research themes include: lipid droplet-mitochondria interactions, APOE function in the brain, and membrane contact site dynamics. Her lab employs cutting-edge tools like Contact-FP fluorescent proteins and quantitative proteomic profiling to study organelle behavior under stress.

Current funding partners include the National Institutes of Health, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Alzheimer’s Association, and Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group. Recent lab highlights include breakthroughs in understanding APOE’s role in lipid droplet modulation and the development of novel imaging protocols for fatty acid trafficking.

• Lab Awards: Over 10 major grants including NIH, NSF, and foundation support
• Recent Achievements: 2024 paper on APOE trafficking in astrocytes, 2023 study on PLIN5/FATP4 interactions

Lab infrastructure includes state-of-the-art microscopy facilities and collaborations with the UNC Neuroscience Center. Future work aims to bridge lipid biology with novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.