Dr. Elena Romanova

Biography

Professor Romanova received her undergraduate degree in Biology from the Belarusian State University in Minsk, Belarus, and her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 2005 under the supervision of Jonathan Sweedler. She joined the newly established, NIDA-funded Neuroproteomics & Neurometabolomics Center at UIUC, focusing on cell-cell signaling and the development of innovative technological solutions to investigate neurochemical changes in the brain resulting from drug abuse and addiction. Currently, she continues to support the expanded national and international neuroscience communities at the Center by coordinating and overseeing multidisciplinary collaborative projects that explore the intricacies of intercellular communication. As a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry since January 2019, her research emphasizes bioanalytical chemistry with a focus on microanalysis, mass spectrometry, and liquid separation techniques for the measurement and characterization of biomolecules and drugs in nervous and neuroendocrine systems. Some specific methodologies she employs include high throughput peptidomics, single cell chemical profiling mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometry imaging, along with relevant bioinformatics tools. The overarching goal of her research is to gain insights into the molecular basis of complex physiological responses in animal models, contributing to fundamental and translational research that advances human health.

Research Interests