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Tracey D. Ward, PhD

Tracey D. Ward, PhD

Tracey D. Ward, PhD
Tracey D. Ward, PhD

Professor
Professor of Medicinal Chemistry & Medical Biochemistry
Pharmaceutical Science
Phone: (231) 591-2283
Email: [email protected]

Education

  • PhD, Wayne State University, Pharmaceutical Sciences: Medicinal Chemistry
  • BS, University of Michigan, Biology/Chemistry

Biography

My research group focuses on the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel PPAR alpha/delta dual agonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Preliminary data has shown reversal of AD pathologies both in vivo and in a in vivo AD mouse model. Improvement of both short and long term memory, improved behavioral side effects and decreased neuro-inflammation was observed with only 30-day treatment. These novel PPAR molecules represent a class of nuclear receptors known as Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR). PPAR-alpha receptors are heavily expressed in the brain and activation has shown to be novel target for promising PPAR molecules with the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. PPAR-delta is more expressed in the liver and activation with PPAR agonist enhances lipid oxidation, glucose uptake and improved mitochondrial function. PPAR delta agonists have shown significant promise with fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. All PPAR agonists are designed to be very selective for the respective PPAR and in silica molecular modeling technology has enhanced the drug discovery advancement of drug development. My drug discovery research group is focused on using computational chemistry coupled with traditional chemistry methods to expand and advance current promising lead molecules for these respective diseases. Some of our designed and patented structures are currently under clinical trial evaluation and may one day potentially offer new solutions with the treatment for these progressive diseases.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions

Presentations

  • Poster
    Korhorn, E. (Author), Brekke, G. (Author & Presenter), Conners, E., Tran, M., Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), WMRUGS VanAndel Science Research Symposium Conference, "Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD," Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, (November 2, 2024).
  • Oral Presentation
    Ward, T. D., Grand Rapids Technology Conference, "Research Focus in Alzheimer's Disease and Fatty Liver Disease," Grand Rapids, MI, (September 18, 2024).
  • Oral Presentation
    Majarian, P. (Author & Presenter), Zombron, P. M. (Author & Presenter), Kollalpitya, K. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), Celebration of Research, "PPAR delta Agonists for the Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (September 13, 2024).
  • Poster
    Korhorn, E. (Author & Presenter), Brekke, G. (Author & Presenter), Amin, R., Ward, T. D. (Author & Presenter), Mid-sure Undergraduate Research Conference, "Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPAR) - Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, (July 24, 2024).
  • Poster
    Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Zalupski, B. (Other), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Jordan, E. (Presenter), Brown, K. (Presenter), Birely, P., York, H. (Other), Stoddard, K. (Presenter), Maloney, P. (Other), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), VanAndel Research Symposium, "Promising PPAR-α(Peroxisome Proliferator Advanced Receptor)  Analogues as Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and Decreased Neuroinflammation ," VanAndel, Grand Rapids, MI, (November 4, 2023).
  • Poster
    Korhorn, E. (Other), Brekke, G. (Other), Jordan, E. (Other), Brown, K. (Presenter), Birely, P. (Other), York, H. (Other), Armstrong, K. (Other), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), FSU Celebration of Research, "Promising PPAR Molecules as Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease and Decreased Neuroinflamation," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (September 15, 2023).
  • Poster
    Zalupski, B. (Author & Presenter), York, H. (Other), Korhorn, E. (Other), Brekke, G. (Other), Strickland, N. (Other), Aldiney, B. (Presenter), Birely, P. (Other), Ward, T. D. (Author), American College of Clinical Pharmacology, "Drug Discovery of PPAR Agonists as Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease," ACCP, Dallas, Texas, (September 9, 2023).
  • Poster
    Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Zalpusky, B. (Other), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Armstrong, K. (Other), Birely, P. (Other), Jordan, E. (Presenter), Brown, K. (Presenter), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), Mid-SURE 2023, "Promising PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator Advanced Receptor) molecules as treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and decreased neuroinflammation," Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, (July 26, 2023).
  • Poster
    Zalpusky, B. (Author & Presenter), York, H. (Other), Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Strickland, N. (Other), Aldiney, B. (Other), Birely, P. (Other), Ward, T. D. (Author), Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Work, "Drug Discovery of PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor) Agonists as Novel Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (April 20, 2023).
  • Poster
    Workman, L. (Presenter), Hardesty, D. (Other), Leeman, C. (Other), Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Tolea, S. (Other), Amin, R. (Author), Ward, Tracey D, T. D. (Author & Presenter), Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research (Mid-SURE), "Novel Selective Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonist as promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease," Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, (July 27, 2022).
 

Contact

220 Ferris Drive
Rm. 201
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 591-2252

ACPE Accredited
ACPE Accredited