Rachael A. McMinimy, PhD

Normal cells convert glucose into energy via cellular respiration in the mitochondria, but cancer cells often rely on alternative metabolic pathways that support rapid growth. Central to this strategy is the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, an enzymatic switch that controls how cells use glucose. Dr. McMinimy studies a newly discovered pathway that regulates this switch through selective protein degradation. By understanding and manipulating this pathway, she hopes to redirect cancer cell metabolism back toward the mitochondria, potentially slowing tumor growth. Dr. McMinimy received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and her BA from Oberlin College, Oberlin.