Tommy Lewis, Ph.D.
Education
Postdoctoral 2013-2018, Columbia University, New York
Postdoctoral Training 2010-2013, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
PhD 2010, University of Southern California
BS 2003, University of Southern California
Research Overview
Mitochondria are often referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell.” However, for something important enough to gain this reputation, we still have much to learn about the various roles mitochondria play in humans. My lab focuses on the function of mitochondria in neurons during both health and disease. We are interested in learning how neurons control our brain, and what goes wrong during aging leading to devastating neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s.
Traditionally, we had to look at these cells outside the body in a dish but many times it is difficult to translate that work back into something relevant for treating human patients. We have developed a new imaging method where we can observe the function of mitochondria in living, relevant mouse models. As this research develops, we will be able to track what happens during disease progression in real-time. This may result in new avenues for understanding these traumatic diseases.
Lewis Lab
Tommy Lewis, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Shadi Khademi
Assistant Staff Scientist
Bertha Osei
Senior Research Technician
Klaudia Strucinska
Research Technician