Karen Litwa

Bio

Dr. Karen Litwa is an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. She is also a member of the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute and the North Carolina State University Center for Human Health and the Environment. Dr. Litwa received her PhD from Emory University and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Virginia. As a post-doctoral fellow, she began using human brain models to unravel the complexities of the developing brain. The developing brain is particularly susceptible to disruption by chemicals and environmental factors that alter synapse formation and contribute to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Her current research addresses the need for preventative strategies to combat the onset of chemically induced synaptic alterations. Current research in the Litwa lab investigates whether phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane (SFN) and cannabidiol (CBD), can prevent chemically induced synaptic alterations. This research is also identifying cellular pathways associated with neuroprotection. This research was funded by the North Carolina State University Center for Human Health and the Environment, NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and the Office of Dietary Supplements. Dr. Litwa is also the recipient of an NSF Career award that funds research and teaching activities associated with uncovering molecular mechanisms of mammalian synapse formation.