Faculty Profile

Biography

Dr. Miki Ii is a faculty member of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. She received her terminal degree in Molecular Biology at the medical school in Japan. Her doctoral study was focused on rat mitochondria inner membrane protein (F0F1-ATPase) integration/membrane topology with an in vitro biochemical assay. Her thesis work was published in J.B.C. After acquiring her Ph.D., she moved to the U.S. and accomplished Molecular Genetic/Biochemical/Biomedical research at Kansas State University and Rutgers University. After her postdoctoral studies, she pursued her career in higher education to teach Biochemistry/Genetics/Molecular and Cellular Biology and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. After her tenure-track positions, Dr. Ii joined LECOM to accomplish her dream work as a Biochemistry faculty in Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ii has extensive experience in teaching Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Human Physiology, and Human Anatomy. She mentored more than forty students in their year(s)-long independent research projects. Dr. Ii’s research outcomes have been published in respected peer-reviewed journals including EMBO J., P.N.A.S., M.C.B., M.B.C., and J.B.C.

Her current research targets Neurodegeneration, Cancer, and Aging. Dr. Ii’s expertise lies in DNA repair and genome stability, which is essential to avoid accelerated aging, development of cancer, and neurodegeneration. The mutations of the DNA repair factors Dr. Ii identified are the cause of both cancers and neurological disorders. Her lab uses the model organism C. elegans, which is widely used in Biomedical Research. Dr. Ii’s lab is particularly interested in the roles of DNA repair factors in DNA integrity and gene expression in neurodegeneration and cancers. C. elegans is an excellent model for studying human diseases at the highest level of science, as 6 C. elegans researchers received Nobel Prizes. Dr. Ii incorporates her expertise and research experience into her classrooms for the best quality medical education. Dr. Ii hopes students seek an opportunity to work on a biomedical research project to understand The Scientific Method in depth and utilize it for the best and lifelong success in medicine.