Researcher Spotlight: Jeromy Dooyema

Jeromy Dooyema
Lead Research Specialist – Pulmonary

What is your professional background?
I received my bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota in 1998 where I worked studying pain circuits and opioid receptors under Dr. Martin Wessendorf. I then went to work for R&D systems validating antibodies for immunohistochemistry. In 2006, my wife and I moved to Atlanta so she could attend graduate school at Emory where I found a position working for Dr. Lary Walker studying Alzheimer’s disease at the Emory Primate Center. Following Lary’s move to main campus, I worked for Dr. Todd Preuss studying the comparative neuroanatomy of vasopressin and oxytocin in humans and primates. After he closed his laboratory, I went to work briefly for Dr. Stella Papa studying Parkinson’s disease. I am now working in WBRB for Dr. Michael J. Noto studying neutrophil behavior and mitochondrial energetics in response to pneumonia.

Which division do you work in? Who is your mentor?
I currently work in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine for Dr. Michael J. Noto.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
Using human or mouse neutrophils we utilize in vitro or in vivo conditions to inhibit different mitochondrial energetic pathways. We employ flow cytometry and chemotactic assays to ascertain changes to energetics and CD complements as well as mass spectroscopy to look at the metabolite signatures of those pathways. This research is important to understanding pneumonia and the body’s innate immune response.

What do you like most about Emory?
I like being part of the scientific community here. Trying to understand biological processes and hopefully harness that knowledge for the benefit of mankind.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I don’t get a lot of time to watch television with family and other obligations, but when I do It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is good for a laugh!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I play bass in an instrumental, progressive, “space rock” band called Gnomonaut.

What is a fun fact about you?
It has been many years since I practiced, but I have a blackbelt in Kung Fu. Also, Dr. Noto will be relocating to Baltimore over the summer so I will be looking for my next research adventure soon. If anyone is interested, please contact me.