Zoe Renè White
Dr. Zoe White, PhD
MITACS Accelerate Postdoctoral Fellow and Part-time Rossi Lab Symbiont
“True Blue” Aussie
Research Interests: Our lab has recently demonstrated that heightened levels of atherogenic plasma lipoproteins, particularly LDL cholesterol, correlate with the accelerated replacement of muscle fibers with non-functional fat or collagen-rich infiltrates in LGMD2B and DMD muscular dystrophies (MD). While these findings suggest that the loss of either dysferlin or dystrophin can cause profound defects in plasma lipoprotein handling, little is known about how such lipometabolic irregularities contribute to MD-related muscle pathology. Thus using novel, genetic mouse models my research aims to 1) investigate the signaling pathways underpinning cholesterol-mediated muscle damage, and 2) test whether widely available medications used to treat dyslipidemia can be repurposed as an effective pharmacotherapy in LGMD2B and DMD populations.
Personal Summary: I completed my Bachelor of Health Sciences and PhD studies at the University of Western Australia (Perth), before to moving to Vancouver to pursue postdoctoral studies in skeletal muscle and vascular pharmacology. I am currently based at the Center for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) at St Paul’s Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Pascal Bernatchez and Dr. Fabio Rossi.
Challenge statement: My handstand game is stronger than yours. Change my mind.
MITACS Accelerate Postdoctoral Fellow and Part-time Rossi Lab Symbiont
“True Blue” Aussie
Research Interests: Our lab has recently demonstrated that heightened levels of atherogenic plasma lipoproteins, particularly LDL cholesterol, correlate with the accelerated replacement of muscle fibers with non-functional fat or collagen-rich infiltrates in LGMD2B and DMD muscular dystrophies (MD). While these findings suggest that the loss of either dysferlin or dystrophin can cause profound defects in plasma lipoprotein handling, little is known about how such lipometabolic irregularities contribute to MD-related muscle pathology. Thus using novel, genetic mouse models my research aims to 1) investigate the signaling pathways underpinning cholesterol-mediated muscle damage, and 2) test whether widely available medications used to treat dyslipidemia can be repurposed as an effective pharmacotherapy in LGMD2B and DMD populations.
Personal Summary: I completed my Bachelor of Health Sciences and PhD studies at the University of Western Australia (Perth), before to moving to Vancouver to pursue postdoctoral studies in skeletal muscle and vascular pharmacology. I am currently based at the Center for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI) at St Paul’s Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Pascal Bernatchez and Dr. Fabio Rossi.
Challenge statement: My handstand game is stronger than yours. Change my mind.
