Sign In

Alexandra Naba

Assistant Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago

Alexandra Naba, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She has been with UIC since 2016, initially serving as an Assistant Professor before her promotion in 2023. Naba is also an affiliate member of the Richard & Loan Hill Department of Bioengineering and a member of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, as well as a fellow of the UIC Honors College.13

Academic Background and Research Focus

Dr. Naba earned her Ph.D. from the Curie Institute in Paris, France, where she researched the role of the membrane-cytoskeleton linker, ezrin, in cell adhesion. Her postdoctoral training was conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under Dr. Richard Hynes, focusing on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its implications in tumor progression.34 She pioneered the field of "matrisomics," developing innovative proteomic and bioinformatic techniques to analyze ECM components, which revealed significant insights into tumor biology and metastatic potential.13

Contributions and Initiatives

Naba is the founder of the Matrisome Project and MatrisomeDB, which are key resources for ECM research globally. These initiatives aim to enhance understanding and facilitate research on the ECM's role in health and disease, particularly cancer.124 She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and serves on various editorial boards, including those for Matrix Biology and Matrix Biology Plus.34

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Dr. Naba has received numerous accolades for her contributions to science, including:

  • The JBC/Herb Tabor Young Investigator Award (2012)
  • The Junior Investigator Award from the American Society for Matrix Biology (2018)
  • The Philip L. Hawley Distinguished Faculty Award (2020)
  • The UIC Honors College Capstone Supervisor of the Year Award (2024) for her exceptional mentorship.134

Teaching

At UIC, she teaches courses within the Master of Science in Medical Physiology program and contributes to graduate education in biomedical sciences, particularly focusing on cell and regenerative medicine as well as cancer biology.4

In summary, Dr. Alexandra Naba is a prominent figure in ECM research with significant contributions to understanding its role in cancer biology, making her a valuable asset to UIC and the broader scientific community.

Highlights

Oct 1 · naba.lab.uic.edu
Alexandra Naba - Naba Lab @ UIC - University of Illinois Chicago
Alexandra Naba, PhD - University of Illinois Cancer Center
Alexandra Naba, PhD - University of Illinois Cancer Center
Naba, Alexandra | Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Naba, Alexandra | Department of Physiology and Biophysics
‪Alexandra Naba‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬

Related Questions

What is the Matrisome Project?
How does the MatrisomeDB database contribute to ECM research?
What are "matritherapies" and how do they benefit patients?
What are some of Alexandra Naba's notable research achievements?
How did Alexandra Naba's work at MIT influence her current research?
Alexandra Naba
Alexandra Naba, photo 1
Alexandra Naba, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Chicago, Illinois, United States