
Dr. Dagda received his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Iowa and completed his postdoctoral training in neuropathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in cell culture, tissue and animal models of Parkinson’s disease. He has authored in over 42 research manuscripts and review articles in the areas of toxicology, toxicology, mitochondrial function, autophagy, neurodegeneration, neuropathology and neurobiology.
As an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, he is currently investigating the pathological mechanisms by which neurons degenerate in models of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. He currently holds a provisional patent to develop intranasal formulations that can restore brain energy, and reverse neurodegeneration and motor symptoms as shown through in vivo animal models of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, he is the director of the Cell Imaging and Metabolic core that is equipped with state-of-the-art automated fluorescent imager and several metabolic analyzers to screen for compounds that can reverse neurodegeneration and mitochondrial dysfunction and at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.