Marisa Brothwell

Experienced scientist specializing in cellular biology and biochemistry with a proven ability to troubleshoot and solve complex research challenges. Skilled in optimizing experimental methods, developing innovative assays, and transforming nonfunctional systems into reliable, high-performing tools. Expertise in mitochondrial and cellular bioenergetics, high-resolution respirometry, fluorometry, and genetically-modified mouse models. Demonstrated success in leading projects from conception to publication, contributing to advancements in understanding metabolic diseases. Committed to excellence in data analysis, interpretation, and collaboration to drive impactful scientific discoveries.

• NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Training Grant (T32), 2021
• NIH Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-related Research, $102,450, 2020
• ASUU Travel Award, Keystone Symposia, 2020
• Presidential Scholarship (full-tuition scholarship), Saginaw Valley State University, 2011-2013

Course Instructor, Foundations of Molecular Biology, MBIOL 6500, University of Utah, 2022

• Designed and delivered course content alongside co-instructor Janet E. Lindsley.
• Taugh graduate students protein structure and function while fostering critical thinking and engagement.

Instrument Trainer, Funai Lab, University of Utah, 2021-2024

• Trained new users on Oroboros and Horiba instruments, ensuring proper operation, experimental design, and data analysis for respiration and bioenergetics studies.

Famtorship for Social Justice Mentor, University of Utah, 2021-2022

• Mentored first-generation college students, providing guidance on academic success and navigating university life.

• ABSL2 and Bloodborne Pathogens, 2019-present
• Laboratory Risk Assessment, 2023
• Transmission Electron Microscopy Use and TEM Image Analysis, 2022
• IACUC, 2020
• Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, 2020
• Animal Handling, 2019
• Common Compliance Issues, 2019
• Occupational Health and Safety, 2019
• Chemical Safety, 2019
• EPIC Medical Chart Training, 2016

• Ahmad Cluntun, Joseph Visker, Jesse Velasco-Silva, Marisa Brothwell, Luis Cedeño-Rosario, Thirupura Shankar, Rana Hamouche, Jing Ling, Ji Eon Kim, Ashish Toshniwal, Hayden Low, Corey Cunningham, James Carrington, Jonathan Leon Catrow, Quentinn Pearce, Chloe Wells, Mi-Young Jeong, Alex Bott, Álvaro Narbona-Pérez, Claire Stanley, Qing Li, Jeffrey Morgan, Tarun Yadav, Wojciech Swiatek, David Eberhardt, Dipayan Chaudhuri, Answer ALS, Deborah Muoio, Joao Paulo, Steven Gygi, James Cox, Katsuhiko Funai, Sutip Navankasattusas, Steven Baker, Stavros Drakos, Jared Rutter, Dinesh Ramadurai. Direct mitochondrial import of lactate supports resilient carbohydrate oxidation. Under review, Nature, 2024.
• Marisa J. Brothwell, Guoshen Cao (曹国燊), J. Alan Maschek, Annelise M. Poss, Alek D. Peterlin, Liping Wang (汪立平), Talia B. Baker, Justin L. Shahtout, Piyarat Siripoksup, Quentinn J. Pearce, Jordan M. Johnson, Fabian M. Finger, Alexandre Prola, Sarah A. Pellizzari, Gillian L. Hale, Allison M. Manuel, Shinya Watanabe (渡邉真也), Edwin R. Miranda, Kajsa E. Affolter, Trevor S. Tippetts, Linda S. Nikolova, Ran Hee Choi (崔蘭煕), Stephen T. Decker, Mallikarjun Patil, J. Leon Catrow, William L. Holland, Sara M. Nowinski, Daniel S. Lark, Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman, Patrice N. Mimche, Kimberley J. Evason, James E. Cox, Scott A. Summers, Zach Gerhart-Hines, Katsuhiko Funai (船井勝彦). Cardiolipin deficiency disrupts CoQ-complex III interface in steatohepatitis. Under review, Nature Cell Biology; on BioRxiv, 2024.
• Piyarat Siripoksup, Guoshen Cao, Ahmad A. Cluntun, J. Alan Maschek, Quentinn Pearce, Marisa J. Brothwell, Mi-Young Jeong, Hiroaki Eshima, Patrick J. Ferrara, Precious C. Opurum, Ziad S. Mahmassani, Alek D. Peterlin, Shinya Watanabe, Maureen A. Walsh, Eric B. Taylor, James E. Cox, Micah J. Drummond, Jared Rutter, Katsuhiko Funai. Sedentary behavior in mice induces metabolic inflexibility by suppressing skeletal muscle pyruvate metabolism, Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2024.
• Naomi M M P de Hart, Jonathan J Petrocelli, Rebekah J Nicholson, Elena M Yee, Lisha van Onselen, Marisa J Lang, Paul-Emile Bourrant, Patrick J Ferrara, Eric D Bastian, Loren S Ward, Brent L Petersen, Micah J Drummond. Dietary delivery of glycomacropeptide within the whey protein matrix is not effective to mitigate tissue ceramide deposition and obesity in high fat fed mice, Journal of Dairy Science, 2023.
• Petrocelli J. Jonathan, de Hart MMP. Naomi, Lang J. Marisa, Yee M. Elena, Ferrara J. Patrick, Fix K. Dennis, Chaix, Amandine, Funai, Katsuhiko, Drummond J. Micah. Cellular Senescence and Disrupted Proteostasis induced by Myotube Atrophy are Prevented with Low Dose Metformin and Leucine Cocktail. Aging, 2023.
• Patrick J. Ferrara; Marisa J. Lang; Jordan M. Johnson; Kelsey L. McLaughlin; J. Alan Maschek; Anthony R.P. Verkerke; Piyarat Siripoksup; Amandine Chaix; James E. Cox; Kelsey Fisher-Wellman, Katsuhiko Funai. Weight loss increases skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy efficiency in obese mice. Life Metabolism, 2023.
• Jordan M. Johnson, Alek D. Peterlin, Enrique Balderas, Elahu G. Sustarsic, Alan Maschek, Marisa J. Lang, Alejandro Jara-Ramos, Vanja Panic, Jeffrey T. Morgan, Claudio J. Villanueva, Alejandro Sanchez, Jared Rutter, Irfan J. Lodhi, James E. Cox, Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman, Dipayan Chaudhuri, Zachary Gerhart-Hines, Katsuhiko Funai. Mitochondrial Phosphatidylethanolamine Directly Regulates UCP1 to Promote Brown Adipose Thermogenesis. Science Advances, 2022.
• David Eberhardt, Sandra Lee, Xue Yin, Anthony Balynas, Emma Rekate, Jackie Kraiss, Marisa Lang, Maureen Walsh, Molly Streiff, Andrea Corbin, Katsuhiko Funai, Frank Sachse, Dipayan Chaudhuri. EFHD1 ablation inhibits cardiac mitoflash activation and protects cardiomyocytes from ischemia. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 2022.

Katsuhiko Funai, Ph.D. Associate Professor

Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah

• Phone: +1(801)-585-1781
• Email: kfunai@health.utah.edu
• Relationship: Ph.D. Advisor

Scott A. Summers, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor

Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah

• Phone: +1(801)-585-9359
• Email: scott.a.summers@health.utah.edu
• Relationship: Committee Member, Department Chair

Ahmad A. Cluntun, Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Biochemistry, Rutgers University

• Phone: +1(732)-235-4579
• Email: ahmad.cluntun@rutgers.edu
• Relationship: Collaborator on Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Experiments

Naveen Sharma, Ph.D. Full Professor

Health Sciences, Central Michigan University

• Phone: +(989)-774-2927
• Email: sharm2n@cmich.edu
• Relationship: Master's Degree Research Advisor

Paul O'Connor, Ph.D. Full Professor

Health Sciences, Central Michigan University

• Phone: +1(989)-774-1084
• Email: oconn2p@cmich.edu
• Relationship: Master's Degree Teaching Advisor