Dr. Joseph Guarnieri, is scheduled to present “Leveraging Systems Biology to Understand Viral- and Spaceflight-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Recovery” on Thursday, March 6^th, beginning at Noon inside the 4^th floor conference room, #402, located at the Bridgeside Point 2 Building, 450 Technology Drive or via Zoom link:  https://pitt.zoom.us/j/98535875521.

Dr. Joseph Guarnieri is concluding his fifth year of postdoctoral research under Dr. Douglas C. Wallace at the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in setting up virology laboratories and working with the COVID International Research Team, resulting in the publication of 13 papers, with several more currently under review.  Among his most impactful contributions is his work on the systemic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, from acute stages to long COVID. He has identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a central mechanism in the virus's impact on various tissues beyond the lungs, revealing its role in metabolic reprogramming and cardiovascular complications. His research demonstrated that treatment with mitochondrial antioxidants in rodent models could alleviate severe viral effects. In his latest work, Guarnieri uncovered significant immune and lymphatic system damage following severe COVID-19, raising concerns about diminished immune surveillance and an increased risk of cancer. In addition to his COVID-related research, Guarnieri expanded his focus to collaborate with NASA’s Analysis Working Groups (AWGs) to study mitochondrial dysfunction and recovery during prolonged spaceflight. His most recent paper, currently under review at Cell, outlines mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple species and astronauts during extended space missions. Dr. Guarnieri will present his findings on mitochondrial dysfunction, drawing comparisons between viral infections and spaceflight, and employing systems biology techniques to trace their progression.

As a reminder, the purpose of these seminars is to help McGowan faculty understand all of the ongoing research being conducted under the McGowan umbrella, promote collaboration, and provide a forum for external (to MIRM) speakers, both within and outside of Pitt, and an opportunity to provide an overview of other key institutional areas.