Congratulations to Paul A. Martinez for defending his dissertation on June 7, 2019

Paul ‘Anthony’ Martinez
Paul ‘Anthony’ Martinez

On June 7, 2019, Pharmacology graduate student Paul Anthony (pictured above) presented his dissertation defense titled: ‘Biogenic aldehydes as therapeutic targets in Parkinson’s disease’ to a lecture hall audience, whose members included her defense committee. He then went through a review of his dissertation and a question and answer process with the defense committee, before he was notified that he had successfully defended his dissertation and would be receiving his Ph.D.!  Anthony is a Ph.D. student and located in Dr. Randy Strong’s lab. Dr. Strong’s research interest has two major objectives: the first is directed toward understanding receptor mechanisms involved in regulating tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines. The second research objective is directed toward understanding the role of oxidative stress in the aging brain.
Anthony Martinez grew up in the Texas hill country just west of San Antonio. As a high school student, he desired to be a medical doctor. In 1997 he entered undergraduate study at Angelo State University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in May 2002. His first experience in basic research was with Dr. Guangming Zhong, where he worked on the cloning and expression of Chlamydia trachomatis as part of a larger project. He later worked with the Nathan Shock center of San Antonio, where he later transitioned into the laboratory of Dr. Randy Strong. Working on projects related to Parkinson’s disease he was encouraged by his mentor to enter the Integrated Multidisciplinary Graduate Program. In 2011, he entered the graduate program and has been studying the interactions of biogenic aldehydes with alpha-synuclein in relation to Parkinson’s disease.
 
 
 

Article Categories: News