Kinesiology doctoral student looks to future in translational research

School of Kinesiology Doctoral Student Alex Berry is conducting research on mitochondrial function in red blood cells – and he’s receiving significant recognition for his work. He recently received one of Auburn University’s four Harry Merriweather Fellowship for this year. These fellowships come with a stipend of $2,000, and selection is based on professional promise. Berry works in the Muscle Physiology Lab under the mentorship of L. Bruce Gladden, professor and director of the lab.

“I cannot overemphasize the quality of Alex’s research work,” Gladden said. “During his time in my lab, Alex has achieved both accuracy and precision that are as good as those of any doctoral student I have had in my 37 years at Auburn.”

Berry describes his research as a proof-of-concept model in chickens, and he’s collaborating with Wayne Willis, an associate professor at the University of Arizona.

“We are applying his novel methodological approach to measure mitochondrial function in the presence of hemoglobin, something that has been traditionally difficult to measure,” Berry said. “While mature human red blood cells typically lack mitochondria, evidence shows that in diseases such as sickle cell disease, red blood cells can abnormally retain functional mitochondria. This mitochondrial activity has been associated with worsened disease outcomes, suggesting a potential role for altered cellular metabolism in disease progression.”

Building on the methodological foundation developed by Willis, Berry plans to use this approach to measure mitochondrial activity in red blood cells from patients with sickle cell disease.

“More broadly, we aim to understand how cellular metabolism influences sickle cell disease pathophysiology,” he explained. His long-term career goal is to pursue a career in translational research.

“I am interested in understanding fundamental physiological processes, but what motivates me most is applying that knowledge to improve human health,” he said. “I want to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, taking insights from the lab and translating them into meaningful interventions to improve patient outcomes.”

In February, Berry was awarded a prestigious T32 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant from the UAB CCTS program (the Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research Program).

“I am excited to begin the T32 fellowship this summer as I transition into my dissertation work, “Berry said. “The program will give me protected time to focus on my studies, and beyond that, the T32 offers structured training and mentorship in clinical and translational research. I look forward to the opportunity to interact and collaborate with clinicians and researchers across different fields. This experience will be invaluable as I continue to develop my skills as a translational researcher.”

Berry said this training, along with his work with Gladden, has had a profound impact on his development as a scientist. 

“If anyone has had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Gladden, with certainty I can say that everyone will have an appreciation for his attention to detail and emphasis on rigor and precision in every aspect of research,” he said. “He has not only been an outstanding mentor but also someone who has shaped how I approach science.”

The collaborative environment in the School of Kinesiology has also been a tremendous asset to Berry’s learning opportunities, he said.

“Faculty are consistently willing to support students, whether through formal collaboration or simply taking the time to discuss ideas and provide guidance,” he said. “This creates an environment where it is easy to learn, ask questions and engage in different areas of expertise.”

In 2024, Berry was one of two annual recipients of the GSSI-ACSM (Gatorade Sports Science Institute-American College of Sports Medicine) Young Scholar Professional Development Grant.