Investigator, Assoc Prof (M) Cardiovascular Research Center, Mass General Research Institute

Associate Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School

Affiliate Faculty Harvard Stem Cell Institute

cardiology; cognition; de novo neurogenesis; exercise; exercise and heart health; high resolution mass spectrometry; metabolism; metabolism and brain health; molecular screenings; rna sequencing; synapses; synaptic plasticity

Our lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism and the brain, with a special interest in secreted factors. The ultimate goal of our research is to identify novel therapeutic targets to combat cognitive impairment in aging or neurodegenerative diseases.

We use various genetic mouse models to dissect the effect of exercise on de novo neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory. To identify novel pathways we are employing a broad range of cutting-edge technologies, including RNA sequencing, high resolution mass spectrometry, and advanced molecular-based screenings.

Dr. Wrann is an Assistant Professor in Medicine at the Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Harvard Medical School in Boston. In addition, Dr. Wrann is an affiliate of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. She is the recipient a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the NINDS.  Her research focuses on the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism and brain health, and specifically secreted factors as potential drug targets.

Dr. Wrann studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University. She received her Ph.D. with Summa cum laude in Immunology from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in 2008. She concluded her postdoctoral  training in the laboratory of Dr. Bruce Spiegelman at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. In April 2016, she joined the faculty of the CVRC to start her own laboratory.

For recent publications see: Wrann et al. Cell Metabolism 2012, Jedrychowski and Wrann et al. Cell Metabolism 2015, Wrann et al. Brain Plasticity 2015.

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/collections/mybibliography/?reload=addSuccess