59825-Mera Reina, Claudia

Claudia Mera Reina, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow in Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology

Address
NB 107D
ACBP
IN
Indianapolis, IN
PubMed:

Bio

I am a physician-scientist with a strong foundation in clinical medicine and advanced training in molecular and cellular biology. Currently, I work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Stark Neuroscience Research Institute at Indiana University School of Medicine. My research focuses on the intersection between traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease, with a particular interest in microglial immunometabolism and the role of Hexokinase 2 in neuroinflammatory responses and disease progression.

I earned my M.D. at the University of Del Rosario in Colombia, followed by a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Los Andes. I later completed a second Master’s and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. My academic and research journey has taken me across Colombia, Chile, and the United States, providing me with a deep intercultural experience and the ability to collaborate effectively in diverse scientific environments. This international training has not only shaped my scientific perspective but also enhanced my communication, adaptability, and leadership skills within multicultural teams.

In 2024, I joined the TREAT-AD initiative, contributing to drug discovery efforts in Alzheimer’s disease. I also serve on the Stark Postdoctoral Association committee, where I support mentoring and professional development, particularly for international scholars. My work has been recognized with honors, including the Alzheimer’s Association AARF-Diversity Fellowship and the Women in Neuroscience Career Development Award.

Key Publications

-  JUAN F. CODOCEDO, CLAUDIA MERA REINA, PETER BOR-CHIAN LIN, SHWETA S. PUNTAMBEKAR, BRAD T. CASALI, NUR JURY, PABLO MARTINEZ, CRISTIAN A. LASAGNA-REEVES, GARY E. LANDRET. Therapeutic targeting of immunometabolism in Alzheimer’s disease reveals a critical reliance on Hexokinase 2 dosage on microglial activation and disease progression. Cell Reports, 43. July 23, 2024.

- CLAUDIA MERA REINA, IVAN GODOY, SOLEDAD VÉLIZ, MARÍA PAZ OCARANZA, JORGE JALIL MILAD. Mechanisms of ventricular remodeling mediated by rho kinase in a model of early systolic dysfunction. TherAdvCardiovasc Dis, 2015.

- LÓPEZ-CRISOSTO C, BRAVO-SAGUA R, RODRÍGUEZ-PEÑA M, MERA C, CASTRO PF, QUEST AF, ROTHERMEL BA, CIFUENTES M, LAVANDERO S. ER to-mitochondria miscommunication and metabolic diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta. Jul 11; 1852: 2096-2105, 2015.

- IVONNE FLECHAS, CLAUDIA MERA, LINA VARGAS Y VIVIANA MARCELA RODRIGUEZ PARDO. "Evaluación de proteínas relacionadas con la diferenciación de células madre hematopoyéticas CD34+ obtenidas de sangre de cordón umbilical". In: Cuba. Revista Cubana De Hematología, Inmunología Y Hemoterapia. v.24 fasc.2 p.1 - 17, 2008.

- CLAUDIA MERA REINA, ANGÉLICA ROA LARA, SANDRA RAMÍREZ CLAVIJO. “Células Madre Hematopoyéticas, generalidades y vías implicadas en sus mecanismos de auto-renovación”. In: Colombia. Revista Ciencias de la Salud v: 5 (1): p. 67-89, 2007.

 

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