Lab Team

Metabolic alterations associated with OXPHOS deficiency in mitochondrial diseases 

Favorite breakfast food: My favorite thing to eat for breakfast is eggs on toast.

Hobbies: I also play on a soccer team called the Lambs (baa!)  

Pathogenic mechanisms of mitochondrial diseases focusing on tissue-specific metabolic consequences associated with OXPHOS deficiency with the goal of developing novel evidence-based strategies that oppose disease progression (PubMed Profile)

• Favorite breakfast food: cappuccino con cornetto al cioccolato
• Hobbies: yoga

Major areas of research in our lab include mitochondrial biochemistry, regulation of respiratory chain enzymes including Complex I, tissue ischemia/reperfusion injury, and mechanism of reactive oxygen species production.

Hobbies: Music

Neurodegeneration in Friedrich's Ataxia. 

Astrocytic calcium dynamics involvement in ALS pathogenesis

• Favorite Breakfast Food: coffee and bacon
• Hobbies: Driving the kids to baseball games and watching them play, latte art, taking kids' photos

I investigate ALS patient derived fibroblast and induced motor neuron models using bioenergetic, molecular biology and imaging techniques. (PubMed Profile)

• Favorite breakfast food: Macaroni and Cheese Pizza, but I don't eat breakfast.
• Interesting Quirk: I have exceptional balance on a bicycle.

Peripheral neuropathy in Friedreich's ataxia (PubMed Profile)

Website: www.magranelab.org

• Favorite breakfast food: Pa amb tomàquet! (bread with tomato spread, salt and olive oil).
• Hobbies: Burning kilocalories while doing very little

My research program studies the complex disease scenario of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing particularly on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Favorite breakfast food: caffe latte

Hobbies: Tennis & Netflix

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease (PubMed Profile)

• Favorite breakfast food: toasted sesame bagel
• Hobbies: backcountry camping, playing guitar, taking photographs

Gene mutation and regulation in mitochondrial disease

Favorite breakfast food: Sunny side up egg, sausage, and cheese sandwich on an english muffin

Metabolic alterations underlying disease progression in primary mitochondrial cardiomyopathies (PubMed Profile)

• Favorite breakfast food: White grapefruit
• Hobbies: Painting, interior design, collecting insects, visiting galleries

Research Focus: Studying the differences in flavin loss across isoforms of Complex I during Reverse Electron Transfer.

An Interesting Quirk: I play Ultimate Frisbee

Elucidating metabolic alterations in mitochondrial diseases which may lead to therapeutic intervention

Dr. Stepanova's research focuses on uncovering the elusive link between mitochondria, calcium communication, and heart cells' well-being in patients with Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) to identify novel therapies for cardiomyopathy in FA.

Research grants: Calcium communication among intracellular compartments in FA patient-derived cells. Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) Grant (PI, Stepanova) 09/01/2022-08/31/2024

Hobbies: Anna has been a Toastmaster since Feb 2021. Now she is the Club President of Columbia University Toastmasters and Division B Director in District 46. When Anna isn't at the bench or busy with Toastmasters, you can spot her in a dance studio or Central Park, where she prepares for bike rides like the Bike-A-Thon or rideATAXIA.

Mitochondrial function during transient metabolic changes of hypoxia-ischemia 

Hobbies: Listening to music 

Favorite breakfast food: I don't eat breakfast