Rodrigo Franco Cruz

Professor

The Franco lab aims to understand the signaling mechanisms by which cellular metabolism, redox homeostasis and signaling regulate cellular fate. Mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in protein quality control mechanisms and the activation/impairment of cell death pathways (apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy) have been associated with the etiology of human diseases. Energy failure and oxidative stress have been implicated in the induction of cell death, but the molecular mechanisms that link redox homeostasis and cellular metabolism to the activation of cell death pathways remain elusive. We strive to identify those mechanisms and provide and insight into potential therapeutic approaches. Our primary focus are neurotoxicity associated with environmental exposures, neurodegeneration, brain ischemia and cancer.

Education

2004-2009

Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH.

2000-2004

PhD in Sciences (Biomedical sciences). Cell Physiology Institute. National University of Mexico (UNAM)

1996-2000

B.S. in Biology. School of Sciences. National University of Mexico (UNAM)

Professsional Experience

July 2017 – present

Associate Professor
Nutritional Biochemistry
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

April 2011 – June 2017

Assistant Professor
Nutritional Biochemistry
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

Jan 2013 – present

Courtesy appointments in School of Biological Sciences, UNL

July 2011 – present

Courtesy appointments in Food Science and Technology, UNL

Courses Taught

BIOC 964

Redox Biochemistry
3 Credits :
Spring (Even academic years)

VBMS 964

Signal Transduction
3 Credits :
Spring (Even academic years)

VBMS 410

General Pharmacology and Toxicology
3 Credits :
Fall Semester

Publications

PubMed
Google Scholar

Honors

2015

IANR's Junior Faculty for Excellence in Research Award

2015

IANR Dinsdale Family Faculty Award

2015

American Society of Animal Science Early Career Achievement Award

2008

Oklahoma State University Research Excellence Award for outstanding research contribution in Biological Sciences

2008

Phoenix Award for exemplary achievement in leadership, scholarship, professional involvement and university and community service at Oklahoma State University

2008

Outstanding Ph.D. Student in the Department of Animal Science