Chantell Evans

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Chantell Skye Evans
Alma mater University of Wisconsin–Madison
Southern Illinois University
Scientific career
Institutions University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Duke University
Thesis The biophysics of synaptotagmin-1 action  (2015)
Doctoral advisor Edwin Chapman
Other academic advisors Erika Holzbaur
Website https://www.evansresearchlab.com

Chantell Skye Evans is an American cell biologist who is a professor at Duke University. Her research looks to understand the dynamical processes of mitochondria and their role in neurodegenerative disease. In 2022, Popular Science named her as one of their "Brilliant 10" U.S. scientists and engineers.

Contents

Early life and education

Evans grew up in a small town in central Illinois, [1] in a majority-white neighborhood. [2] She was awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship to pursue studies at university. [2] Evans was an undergraduate student at the Southern Illinois University, where she studied chemistry [2] was part of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates scheme, and spent her junior year in the laboratory of Punit Kohli. [2] Evans moved to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to complete a doctorate in the lab of Edwin Chapman. [1] Her doctoral research considered the regulation of Ca²⁺ in exocytosis. [3] She moved to the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and joined Erika Holzbaur for postdoctoral research. [2] [4] In 2017, she was named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. [2] [5]

Research and career

Evans joined the faculty at Duke University in 2021. [6] [7]

Evans uses cell biology to understand how cells deal with malfunctioning mitochondria in neurons, a process known as mitophagy. [8] Patients with Parkinson's disease typically show mutations on two proteins, PINK1 and Parkin. However, when these proteins are disabled in mice, the mice do not exhibit Parkinson's disease. [8] Evans wondered whether mitochondria, the "powerhouse of the cell", may play a role in the development of the neurodegenerative disease. She uncovered that eradicating malfunctioning mitochondria is slower in neurons than it is in epithelial cells, which indicates that defective mitophagy in neurons contributes to neurodegeneration. [9]

In 2022, Evans was named a Fellow of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Science Diversity Leadership program. [10] Popular Science also named her as one of their "Brilliant 10" U.S. scientists and engineers who are succeeding in addressing key challenges in society. [8]

Research Grants

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 "Introducing new group leaders: Chantell Evans, Jin Rui (Amos) Liang, and Cristina Mayor-Ruiz". Molecular Cell. 82 (8): 1398–1402. 2022-04-21. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.03.036 . ISSN   1097-2765. PMID   35452609. S2CID   248328266.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Changing the Narrative: Chantell Evans Aims to Set an Example". Duke University School of Medicine. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  3. ↑ Evans, Chantell Skye (2015). "The biophysics of synaptotagmin-1 action".
  4. ↑ "People | Holzbaur Lab | Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania". www.med.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  5. ↑ "HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow / 2017—Present". 2017.
  6. ↑ "Chantell Evans, PhD: Examining the Links Between Damaged Mitochondria and Brain Diseases". Duke University School of Medicine. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  7. ↑ "Chantell Evans | Duke Department of Cell Biology". www.cellbio.duke.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Brilliant 10: The top up-and-coming minds in science". Popular Science. 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  9. ↑ Evans, Chantell S; Holzbaur, Erika LF (2020-01-14). Harper, Wade; Pfeffer, Suzanne R (eds.). "Degradation of engulfed mitochondria is rate-limiting in Optineurin-mediated mitophagy in neurons". eLife. 9 e50260. doi: 10.7554/eLife.50260 . ISSN   2050-084X. PMC   6959996 . PMID   31934852. S2CID   210193102.
  10. ↑ "CZI Science Diversity Leadership Award Grantees". Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  11. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: How does selective autophagy dysfunction contribute to neurodegeneration?". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  12. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: Training Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  13. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  14. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: Investigating mitochondrial turnover in homeostasis and disease". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  15. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program: Mitochondrial surveillance in neuronal homeostasis and disease". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  16. ↑ "Scholars@Duke grant: Neurobiology Training Program". scholars.duke.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
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