With the hard work behind her, University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy graduate student Amany Alowaisi has completed her clinical pharmaceutical sciences studies, within the drug discovery and experimental therapeutics program. She will receive her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree this month. Professor Ethan Anderson, her advisor, will be on hand to hood Alowaisi Dec. 19 at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City. In commemoration of this milestone, she shared her research and experience at the college.
Research Focus:
At Iowa, Alowaisi's research centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate metabolic balance and how their disruption contributes to chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. She is particularly interested in identifying novel factors that influence lipid and glucose metabolism and exploring their potential as therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders. More specifically, Alowaisi investigated the role of prohibitin-1 (PHB1), a multifunctional protein found in cells and circulation, in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. Her work demonstrates that PHB1 in the liver is critical for lipid metabolism and glycemic control, while circulating PHB1 influences glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. These findings highlight PHB1 as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
Upcoming Plans:
Alowaisi is eager to integrate her Doctor of Pharmacy training with PhD-level research by pursuing an academic position that bridges clinical and scientific domains. She noted that this unique combination will enable her to explore innovative research opportunities aimed at improving patient outcomes through translational discoveries.
How Experiences at the UI College of Pharmacy Prepared Her:
“My education and training at the College of Pharmacy throughout my PhD journey provided a solid foundation in basic science and hands-on research that strengthened my skills in experimental design, data analysis, and critical thinking,” said Alowaisi. “This has prepared me to investigate complex molecular pathways regulating metabolism. Additionally, the exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration equipped me to translate basic science findings into potential therapeutic strategies.”
Favorite College of Pharmacy Memories:
"I will always remember the late nights in the lab, working hard to solve problems and the joy of celebrating when experiments finally worked," Alowaisi recalled. “Those moments taught me the value of never giving up."