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Liza Pon is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University. Her research focuses on mitochondria, which play crucial roles in aging, cell death, energy mobilization, and oxidative stress management. By studying the dynamics of cytoskeletal function, she investigates mitochondrial motility and inheritance, particularly using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). Pon's studies explore how microtubules and actin cytoskeleton facilitate mitochondrial movement, revealing mechanisms behind their bidirectional transport. Additionally, she examines the relationship between mitochondrial quality and cell cycle regulation, identifying checkpoints that inhibit cell cycle progression in response to mitochondrial inheritance defects. Liza has received accolades for her contributions to education and research, including multiple Gender Equity Awards and the Charles W. Bohmfalk Memorial Prize. Her editorial work includes roles on the boards of several esteemed journals.
Department of Anthropology (GSAS)