Dr. Lawrence Kazak

Biography

Dr. Lawrence Kazak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University. His research focuses on the mechanisms of mitochondrial energetics in health and disease, particularly in the context of adipocytes and cancer cells. Kazak's work integrates mouse genetics, mass spectrometry, molecular cell biology, and biochemistry to explore the molecular control of mammalian energy metabolism. He has developed novel genetically-engineered mouse models to investigate cellular metabolism in vivo, with the goal of understanding the metabolic pathways that regulate mitochondrial energetics. His lab's research is critical for uncovering the roles of metabolic intermediates, especially creatine, in energy expenditure and thermogenesis, as well as its implications for obesity and cancer. Kazak's findings contribute to the broader understanding of how white and brown fat differ in energy storage and expenditure, aiming to leverage this knowledge to combat obesity and improve metabolic health. He is recognized for developing tools to study creatine metabolism and its links to cancer, aiming to address key questions about its role in various malignancies.

Research Interests