Snake River Association for Neuroscience
Member Profile: Isaac Orina Alfred
Isaac Orina Alfred is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Idaho State University. He is currently serving as the Vice President for the Snake River Association for Neuroscience. Isaac obtained both undergraduate (BS Chemistry and Biochemistry) and graduate (MS Biochemistry) education in Kenya at Egerton University. His research project, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi (Kenya), centered on studying the potential use of insect transferrin in the development of a vaccine against sleeping sickness. After graduation, he was a Lecturer in Biochemistry at Egerton University for several years, before leaving Kenya to pursue his doctoral degree. He arrived at I.S.U. in Fall 2002. Isaac’s dissertation research project focuses on development and study of a cell culture model system that mimics mitochondrial DNA depletion states, similar to those seen in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The aim is to understand how the how mitochondrial DNA depletion compromises cellular functions. To date, Isaac’s research findings have uncovered significant alterations in metabolic and antioxidant systems in this cell culture model system. His studies provide new information on how neuronal cells chronically challenged with mitochondrial DNA depletion alter their antioxidant systems and vital metabolic enzymes to maintain adequate functions.
Isaac has been an active member of the department’s graduate student group, Associated Graduate Students in Pharmacy, serving in several roles (including President). Isaac has attended several national and international meetings where he has presented his research findings, including the Society for Neuroscience annual meetings. He has been a productive scientist and will have more than six publications and twelve abstract presentations from his research activities in Dr. Lai’s Molecular Biochemistry lab group by graduation. Isaac looks forward to completing his Ph.D. requirements in the near term and moving to a postdoctoral fellow position where he can continue to hone his research skills.