معرفی
Val Andrew Fajardo, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Tissue Remodelling and Plasticity throughout the Lifespan. His research focuses on understanding muscle wasting conditions such as muscular dystrophy, aging, and spaceflight-induced atrophy, alongside metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes. He investigates therapeutic strategies involving SERCA (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase) regulation, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibition, and calmodulin pathways.
Research interests include calmodulin regulation, muscle-based thermogenesis, and the role of sarcolipin in calcium handling. Fajardo's work spans molecular mechanisms to translational therapies, with a particular emphasis on lipid metabolism and protein interactions in muscle cells.
His publications highlight contributions to understanding lithium's effects on Alzheimer’s risk, muscle dystrophy mitigation through OPG-Fc therapy, and the interplay between environmental factors (e.g., temperature) and metabolic health. Collaborations with institutions like NASA (spaceflight studies) and interdisciplinary teams (e.g., immunology, cardiology) underscore his translational research approach.
Key findings include GSK3 inhibition improving muscle function in dystrophy models and lithium's potential in neuroprotection and metabolic regulation. Fajardo’s lab actively explores novel drug targets and environmental interventions to combat muscle degeneration and metabolic diseases.
