Photo: Hallie Leo
Jonathan Valeros, a PhD candidate in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to continue his research on mitochondrial functions in the liver, research that can help understand how cells function in low oxygen regions.
Studying in the lab of Jessica Spinelli, PhD, associate professor of molecular medicine and a scholar of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Valeros identified a new electron carrier in mammals, previously only known in bacteria, that has the capability to help support organs experiencing low oxygen levels. A paper about the discovery was published in Cell, with Valeros as first author.
“One of the key properties of the electron carrier I found is that it doesn’t need oxygen, so I’m looking at how to use it as an antioxidant and use it as a way to support cells experiencing hypoxia,” Valeros said. “If we introduce this electron carrier, it could help support mitochondrial functions in organs and improve the efficacy for transplant recipients.”
Valeros grew up in Holbrook and studied chemical engineering at UMass Amherst. He met Dr. Spinelli while he was a lab technician at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge. Spinelli, a postdoc at the time, taught Valeros wet lab skills after normal work hours. When Spinelli started her lab at UMass Chan, she immediately offered him a job as a research associate.
“Jonathan’s accomplishments speak volumes. He’s blatantly destined for success,” Spinelli said. “I attribute so much of our lab’s success to Jonathan’s dedication to science and feel unwavering gratitude for the opportunity to be part of his continued growth as his thesis advisor. Seeing him thrive as a scientist has given me an immense joy I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
After working as a research associate for three years, Valeros enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences PhD interdisciplinary program and became a member of the Spinelli lab as a graduate student.
“This is more than just an award. It shows my love for science and spreading science to other communities,” Valeros said about his new fellowship. “I'm surrounded by such intelligent people who are hard-working at UMass Chan. I want to help other people learn science and metabolism techniques.”
Outside of the lab, Valeros loves watching and playing basketball—he’s a big Celtics fan—and also enjoys playing video games.
The Student Spotlight series features UMass Chan Medical School students in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and T.H. Chan School of Medicine. For more information about UMass Chan Medical School and how to apply, visit the Prospective Students page.
