A.M. (Amalia M.) Dolga, Prof Dr

Education and Research experience:

 2020 - current Associate Professor

2015- 2019        Assistant Professor

Rosalind Franklin Fellow              

Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy - GRIP, Department of Molecular Pharmacology

University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Lab theme: Defining the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in neurodegeneration

2015 Privatdozent

Philipps-Universität Marburg,

Faculty of Pharmacy, Marburg, Germany

2013- 2015 Habilitation

Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany

Topic: The role of SK channels in neuronal degeneration and inflammation

2008-2015 Postdoctoral Fellow

Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany

Advisor: Carsten Culmsee, Ph.D.

Topic 1): Defining the molecular signaling pathways by which mitochondrial dysfunction leads to neuronal cell death.

Topic 2): Defining how modulation of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels promotes neuronal survival in neurodegenerative conditions.

2004- 2008 Graduate Student

University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Advisor: Ulrich Eisel, Ph.D.

Topic: Defining how inflammation contribute to neuronal survival and which molecular pathways affect these processes.

2001- 2003  M.Sc.

Master research in “Chemistry of biological active compounds”, Department of Chemistry, West University of Timisoara, Romania

Master thesis: University of Bremen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Germany.

1997- 2001  B.Sc.

Chemistry and Biology, The West University of Timisoara, Romania.

 Grant Support and Awards:

2022-2023         ParkinsonFonds, Research Grant ( € 250.000)

PI: Amalia Dolga

Title: The neuro-immune interaction in Parkinson's disease.            

2020-2021         Alzheimer Nederland, Research Grant ( € 100.000)

PI: Amalia Dolga

Title: Targeting SK channels in Alzheimer's disease.  

2019-2021         ParkinsonFonds, Research Grant ( € 250.000)

PI: Amalia Dolga

Title: The function of LRRK2 in the immune cells of Parkinson's disease.

 2015-present     Rosalind Franklin Fellowship

Lab theme: Defining the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in neurodegeneration

2014-2017         Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Research Grant

PI: Amalia Dolga

Title: The function of potassium SK channels in neuronal mitochondria.

A total of € 211.000 to cover salary for a Ph.D. position (BAT IIa/2), plus consumables for 3 years

2014-2015         Forschungsförderfonds (Research Grant), Philipps University Marburg, (€ 40.000)

Co-PI: Amalia Dolga & Braxton Norwood, Titel: Es werde Licht: Optogenetic tools for epilepsy

2013-2015         Co-writer of funded European 7th Framework Programme

PI: David Henshall, Title: MicroRNA in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of epilepsy.

A total of € 124 200 to cover salary for 2 years for a Post-doc position (BAT IIa).

2013                 Travel award based on scientific merit, Seahorse Bioscience for the oral presentation on ”SK channel activation preserves mitochondrial function and supports neuronal survival under conditions of ER stress and oxidative damage”, 4th ECS Workshop “Ca2+ and cell death” Leuven, Belgium

2012                 Conference fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, for research on “Novel mitochondrial KCNN2/KCa2.2 channels mediate neuroprotective effects” presented at the Neurons Under Stress Meeting, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

2010                 European Calcium Society, Travel award based on scientific merit for research on “Activation of small conductance KCa2 channels prevents neuronal death induced by delayed calcium deregulation” presented at the European Calcium Society Meeting, Warsaw, Poland.

2009                 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie, Travel award based on scientific merit for the research paper “Activation of small conductance KCa2 channels attenuates [Ca2+]i increases and provides neuroprotection against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity” presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, Chicago, USA.

2009                 Poster prize, Annual conference of the German pharmaceutical society (DPhG) for the research paper “Activation of small conductance KCa2 channels provides neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity in vitro and cerebral ischemia in vivo”, Jena, Germany

2009                 JAD Press release, “Statins Can Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease, According to New Study”

2008                 Science-Daily Press release, “Lovastatin Shown To Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease”, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409114625.htm

2008                 Internationale Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek (ISAO)Grant for printing the PhD dissertation entitled “Neuroprotective signaling mechanisms in the mammalian brain”, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands.

2002 – 2003      European region action scheme for the mobility of university students at University of Bremen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Germany.

2001                 Conference Grant sponsored by NATO – Advanced Study Institute (ASI) for the study on “Aspects of tautomeric transitions driven by proton tunneling” presented at the “Metal-ligand interactions in molecular, nano, micro- and macro-systems in complex environments” conference held in Cetraro, Italy.

1997 – 2001      Governmental scholarship for excellent performance.