https://www.niemilab.com/what-we-do daily 0.75 2023-05-20 https://www.niemilab.com/home daily 1.0 2024-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590777096103-FC8QBQ7VR1IJLENK9WJH/Mito%2Bmaze%2Bmedium%2Bsquare.jpg Home - What we do Find out about our mission, the methods we use, and the research that takes place in our laboratory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590771129664-JL5Y26WYV0JL531NOXOU/hans-reniers-lQGJCMY5qcM-unsplash.jpg Home - Join us! We are actively recruiting new lab members to join us in studying mitochondria! https://www.niemilab.com/opportunities daily 0.75 2020-08-21 https://www.niemilab.com/lab-members daily 0.75 2025-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Lab members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Lab members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Lab members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1129cff1-8afd-40b6-8f14-119ff4312539/IMG_5530.png Lab members - Natalie Niemi, Ph.D Assistant Professor B.S., The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ph.D., Van Andel Institute Graduate School Postdoc, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Morgridge Institute for Research Scientific interests: mitochondria, metabolism, phosphatases, signaling cascades, testable hypotheses (i.e., the only kind), promoting women in science, improving mentorship Non-scientific interests: buying too many books, running (slowly), trying new recipes, celebratory champagne, family trips to Michigan in the summertime, watching old music videos on MTV Classic, completing NYT crosswords, rewatching the X-files (slowly) email: niemi@wustl.edu twitter: @nieminm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/c849f9c7-f877-4ccd-ba0c-c181b2167f05/photo.jpg Lab members - Thiago Menezes, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Scholar B.S.: Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil PhD: Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil Postdoc: University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Postdoc: Saint Louis University, USA Scientific interests: Mitochondrial bioenergetics, fission and fusion, heart and liver function, redox homeostasis Non-scientific interests: Watching sports, TV shows, and movies, playing soccer, listening to vinyl records, playing guitar and cavaco, and trying new whiskies and beers email: menezes@wustl.edu twitter: @thiagonmenezes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/d433c7c4-40eb-4b0d-af56-bc2e31529e56/UQSSD_March_2021_Keri-Lyn_Subramanian_003.jpg Lab members - Keri-Lyn Kozul, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher B.Sc. (Hons.), The University of Queensland, Australia Ph.D., The University of Queensland, Australia Scientific interests: How cells maintain homeostasis and regulate processes to prevent disease, with a primary focus on how this happens in mitochondrial function. Non-scientific interests: baking, sewing, embroidering, playing guitar, singing, drinking coffee in cute cafes, travelling. email: kozul@wustl.edu twitter: @KeriKozul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/b8839c58-d128-438b-87d0-3a00777ae0c4/Hannah_HighRes6.JPG Lab members - Hannah Pletcher Graduate student Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology B.S., Purdue University Scientific interests: Broadly understanding metabolic biochemistry, and in the lab specifically studying how phosphorylation in the mitochondria impacts metabolism Non-scientific interests: hiking, knitting, reading, baking, and exploring the city with friends email: h.e.pletcher@wustl.edu twitter: @hpletch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/a1488760-4e21-46fe-93dc-810a7d969fe3/WEI+LAB+PIC.jpg Lab members - Lianjie (Jerry) Wei Graduate Student Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology B.A., B.S., The University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill Scientific interests: Understanding the interplay between mitochondrial protein homeostasis and cellular energy metabolism Non-scientific interests: soccer, basketball, running, hiking, bouldering, reading, cooking email: jerry.w@wustl.edu twitter: @jerrylianjiewei https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/b13b3bb6-917c-459f-9694-189e66d79b7f/Photo.jpg Lab members - Youmian Yan Graduate student Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology B.A., Colby College Scientific interests: General interest in studies about the mechanisms underlying regulatory pathways, and specifically how protein import is regulated during mitochondrial biogenesis in the Niemi Lab Non-scientific interests: reading, biking, running, playing badminton, visiting art museums email: y.youmian@wustl.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/d849019f-a2ed-40dc-af52-bf55ddb341a0/Headshot.jpg Lab members - Tessa Lochetto Graduate Student Molecular and Cellular Biology B.S., Florida State University Scientific interests: Broad interest in mitochondrial metabolism influencing striated muscle development, and in the lab, specifically studying how regulated phosphorylation is imperative for the health, development, and physiology of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Non-scientific interests: visiting coffee shops, playing volleyball, reading, crochet, spoken word poetry, and exploring the STL breweries. email: l.tessa@wustl.edu twitter: @tloch_ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/99f1ab06-76e9-4a60-ace2-3dfa57714727/Picture.jpg Lab members - Emily Harrelson Graduate Student Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology B.S., University of Missouri-Columbia Scientific interests: Understanding the regulation of metabolism and protein lifespans. Non-scientific interests: playing the cello, hiking, knitting, getting new house-plants, and reading email: e.harrelson@wustl.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/19f51a9c-fa07-4379-8f85-7e61278f15d6/Maria+Broering+Tezza-4605.jpeg Lab members - Maria Broering Graduate Student Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology B.S., Ball State University Scientific interests: Metabolic pathways, enzymes, and mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease Non-scientific interests: weightlifting, hiking, reading, listening to music, board games, chatting with friends over coffee, and spending time in nature email: broering@wustl.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/d5f1b387-3e99-4a49-a604-1b32b9683a69/SCHODL_THOMAS_BBSB+ID+Badge.jpg Lab members - Thomas Schodl Graduate Student Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Truman State University Scientific interests: Broadly interested in mechanistic cell biology and how PTMs modulate cell function/homeostasis Non-scientific interests: baking sweets & bread, cooking, running, playing video games, biking, reading, and soccer email: schodl@wustl.edu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/ff07d1e0-eb2a-4a6e-af63-61f530b31495/IMG_5075.jpg Lab members - Srikar Vegensa Undergraduate Student Pursuing Bachelor’s degree in Biology, WUSTL Scientific interests: Broad interest in mechanistic and structural cell biology, with a general focus on understanding genetic processes Non-scientific interests: nature travelling, photography, coffee + tea, history museums, occasional cooking email: s.v.vegesna@wustl.edu https://www.niemilab.com/projects daily 0.75 2020-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590460440411-8GWJZIECOJNF4C58IRG5/Mitochondria+-+different+tissues+EM+med+square.png Projects - Tissue-specific mitochondrial physiology Often simplified to “powerhouses of the cell," mitochondria are complex organelles with various forms and functions across mammalian tissues. How mitochondria achieve this tissue specialization is not well understood. We combine mass spectrometry-based profiling, genetics, and mammalian physiology to understand how mitochondria maintain tissue specific functions, and how perturbing mitochondrial function across different tissues elicits distinct pathology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590606093247-FOBZD46E206EXQJQNZMQ/Large+JPG-20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Projects - Mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis and turnover Of the 1158 proteins in mammalian mitochondria, only 13 are synthesized within the organelle. The remaining 99.7% must be translated, targeted, transported, sorted, processed, and refolded within a specific compartment within the mitochondrion. Further, many cellular mechanisms of protein turnover, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system, are not physically accessible to many mitochondrial proteins due to their sequestration within mitochondrial membranes. We are interested in how cells generate functional mitochondrial proteins, as well as how these proteins are turned over in normal and pathological states. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590605530738-KSU71WRF5WZL3QYUBZSX/Project+-+mito+phosphorylation+narrow+square.png Projects - The uncharted mitochondrial phosphoproteome Phosphorylation has long been associated with mitochondrial metabolism, discovered on pyruvate dehydrogenase over 50 years ago. Recent advances in phosphoproteomics have shown that over 91% of the mitochondrial proteome has at least one experimentally determined phosphoisoform. Our recent work shows that disrupting mitochondrial-resident phosphatases can have devastating consequences, suggesting proper management of mitochondrial phosphorylation is critical in mammals. We are working to understand what these modifications do, how they come about, and the full spectrum of pathology arising from their dysregulation. https://www.niemilab.com/publications daily 0.75 2026-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/33e1e34a-2b9f-427c-b5bf-011e3c7b85dd/aac9c8bd827c821f56f9a7e2.png Publications - Recessive PPTC7 deficiency triggers excessive mitophagy to cause a severe inborn error of metabolism with hypomyelinating leukodystrophy Kozul, K.-L.* AlAsmari A.*, Alharby E., Zakzouk R.S., Yan Y., Mushiba A.M., Harrelson E.N., Ayach M., Cho K., Zahid H., de Luna Vitorino F.N., Searfoss R.M., Liu X., Saleh M.A., Mayo L., Wei L., Aldawood A., Alsuhaibani L., Bafail M.A., Menezes T.N., Samman M., Pletcher H., Sandokji I.A., Borhan W.M., Lochetto T.M., Alamri A., Mudayfin W., Syed M., Shriver L.P., Garcia B.A., Faqeih E.A., Patti G.J., Niemi N.M.^ and N.A.M. Almontashiri^. February 2026, PREPRINT (Version 1) Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8815446/v1]Research Square 225(4):e202507116. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/2a9ba86c-3e66-40ad-853a-58acb8ad2293/25.05.13+-+Figure+6.png Publications - Mitochondrial presequences harbor variable strengths to maintain organellar function Yan Y., Erdenepurev B., Menezes, T.N., Collinson I., and N.M. Niemi. 2026. J Cell Biol. 225(4):e202507116. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/b674847f-38d4-4101-bd8f-9a56db6e9397/m_bst-2022-1364c.03.png Publications - Coordinating BNIP3/NIX-mediated mitophagy in space and time N.M. Niemi & J.R. Friedman. 2024. Biochem Soc Trans BST20221364. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/97289e90-9b18-435e-b5e3-74cbb046c22a/F5.large.jpg Publications - Dual-localized PPTC7 limits mitophagy through proximal and dynamic interactions with BNIP3 and NIX Wei L., Gok M.O., Svoboda J.D., Kozul K., Forny M., Friedman J.R., and N.M. Niemi. 2024. Life Sci. Alliance 2024 Jul 11; 7(9):e202402765. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/18a2617b-d510-4561-806a-93753dc612d6/2023.02.28.530351v1.jpg Publications - PPTC7 maintains mitochondrial protein content by suppressing receptor-mediated mitophagy Niemi, N.M.*, Serrano L.R., Muehlbauer L. K., Balnis C. E., Wei, L., Smith A.J., Kozul, K., Forny, M., Connor O.M., Rashan E.H., Shishkova E., Schueler K.L., Keller M.P., Attie A.D., Friedman, J.R., Pagan J., Coon J.J., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2023. Nat Commun. 14(1):6431. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1624495382280-10K41FR19SZZG6WPFJ94/210413_MitoPhos+-+final+no+legends-02.png Publications - The extensive and functionally uncharacterized mitochondrial phosphoproteome Niemi, N.M., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2021. J. Biol. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100880 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1590958888326-33XC2HWCP6VAA0YBVUER/19.05.31+-+Figure+2+for+export.png Publications - Pptc7 is an essential phosphatase for promoting mitochondrial metabolism and biogenesis Niemi, N.M., Wilson, G.M., Overmyer, K.A., Vogtle, F.N., Lohman D.C., Schueler, K.L., Attie, A.D., Meisinger C., Coon, J.J., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2019. Nat Commun. 10(1):3197. PMID: 31324765 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1591739460151-G542H5RIZ53UY7QHRCXC/F3.large+%281%29.jpg Publications - Integrative Proteomics and Biochemical Analyses Define Ptc6p as the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase Guo X., Niemi N.M., Coon J.J., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2017. J. Biol. Chem. 292(28):11751-11759. PMID: 28539364 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1591739605093-OL7YSOWE26H62N7BL72Y/gr4_lrg.jpg Publications - Ptc7p dephosphorylates select mitochondrial proteins to enhance metabolic function Guo X.*, Niemi N.M.*, Hutchins, P.D., Condon, S.G.F., Jochem, A., Ulbrich, A., Higbee, A.J., Russell, J.D., Senes, A., Coon, J.J., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2017. Cell Rep. 18(2):307-13. *Co-first author. PMID: 28076776 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1591746132986-H7SYWOCC96AIES5DHEDX/20140301_Trade-151_0124-copy.jpg Publications - A quantitative map of the liver mitochondrial phosphoproteome reveals post-translational control of ketogenesis Grimsrud, P.A.*, Carson, J.J.*, Hebert, A.S., Hubler, S.L., Niemi, N.M., Bailey, D.J., Jochem, A., Stapleton, D.S., Keller, M.P., Westphall, M.S., Yandell, B.S., Attie, A.D., Coon, J.J., and D.J. Pagliarini. 2012. Cell Metab. 16(5): 672-83. *Co-first author https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/81e76c2f-ae81-4682-b0af-e84fd93b7018/rspb20230983f01.jpeg Publications - The faculty-to-faculty mentorship experience: a survey on challenges and recommendations for improvements Sarabipour S.*, Niemi, N.M.*, Burgess S.J.*, Smith C.T., Bisson Filho A.W., Ibrahim A., and K. Clark 2023. Proc Biol Sci. 290(2013):20230983. *Co-first author https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/37f8616e-dbd1-4a72-94d2-39c0668707da/1-s2.0-S0076687924003690-gr1_lrg.jpg Publications - The MitoLuc assay for the analysis of the mechanism of mitochondrial protein import Needs H. I., Yan Y., Niemi N.M., and I. Collinson. 2024. Methods Enzymol. Online ahead of print. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/cefa7876-abf6-445d-b1a3-6ca06237a13b/F13.large.jpg Publications - The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex regulates mitophagic selectivity independently of its catalytic activity Kolitsida P., Nolic V., Zhou J., Niemi N.M., Dengjel J., and H. Abeliovich. 2023. Life Sci Alliance. 6(9):e202302149. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/7d545245-0e64-4137-94b7-af015caa2705/gr1_lrg.jpeg Publications - Enhanced immunoprecipitation techniques for the identification of RNA-binding protein partners: IGF2BP1 interactions in mammary epithelial cells Fakhraldeen S.A., Berry S.M., Beebe D.J., Roopra A., Bisbach C.M., Spiegelman V.S., Niemi N.M. and C.M. Alexander. 2022. J. Biol. Chem. volume 298, issue 3, 101649. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1591746681666-HN769YNW5PQ5JCCEK0TM/screenshot.png Publications - Quantitative shotgun proteome analysis by direct infusion Meyer J.G., Niemi N.M., Pagliarini D.J., and J.J.Coon. 2020. Nature Methods volume 17, pages1222–1228. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1591746926754-4XPXYHB0WF9ZFOKLJ8WI/screenshot+2.png Publications - A survey-based analysis of the academic job market Fernandes J.D., Sarabipour S., Smith C.T., Niemi N.M., Jadavji N.M., Kozik A.J., Holehouse A.S., Pejaver V., Symmons O., Bisson Filho A.W., and A. Haage. eLife 2020;9:e54097 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.54097. https://www.niemilab.com/news daily 0.75 2026-03-02 https://www.niemilab.com/resources daily 0.75 2024-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1670711605405-TBKU8JE6I1VCPUY8IJPC/unsplash-image-QkflfhJn1KA.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1707180656472-G8SD1SW8IFJQI7J9MI3U/image-asset.jpeg https://www.niemilab.com/parenting daily 0.75 2024-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677960955246-10ADPDLHHMEXU5LBA7J8/unsplash-image-DTPlIdXJexI.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677961428568-QZO9KPJ389MC4DC0EMB1/unsplash-image-UH-xs-FizTk.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677961907170-TK6Z6DKVINZWT5JS7VL8/unsplash-image-Drf9a196d7M.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677962275302-0ZDFVEI3GWJN9VQTB40B/unsplash-image-a-_1PPjnbUg.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677962434005-L2QDCRB8ECALHJBN76B4/unsplash-image-c3KZP4azG6g.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677962772418-Q1ORHIWKNNHVEY74V9SB/unsplash-image-En1Is3KsRZw.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677963423923-YKWH3WZN3BLT43OXG1GU/unsplash-image-u98NbETbj4M.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677963660785-CD0AWMMSE0C3PGUHIO34/unsplash-image-genZFP4itVc.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677964071588-O7UY8UA41FLEOPKX45GA/unsplash-image-EQlTyDZRx7U.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1677964234957-3KGAL06NH6IJG6V56YDE/unsplash-image-GM5Yn5XRVqA.jpg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1717860096381-F53Y5BKJ70XT5UE8BUPB/image-asset.jpeg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1717860434109-8703WGLOB6W5QVV2TO98/image-asset.jpeg Parenting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1717860837306-1UCDDL5LEG0ZJCMQJYTP/image-asset.jpeg Parenting https://www.niemilab.com/mentorship daily 0.75 2024-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/9a6df65f-25eb-4d81-a220-bd035e62a3ef/Screen+Shot+2023-05-11+at+8.18.36+AM.png Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/afc90987-a28f-44ac-b0e1-dcd52db6c042/_20230512_careers_mentoring.jpeg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/67a07a63-cf82-41e5-9426-a8e89118da7c/Screen+Shot+2023-05-19+at+8.29.32+PM.jpg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/410a0864-1f9a-4269-a61d-c0a4dc5a608b/KzIls6F1.png Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1684546848169-2ZEQ6ZLZIDYROPF2UCDD/image-asset.jpeg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1684546994823-8CV511TJPMQJYZFTAM1I/unsplash-image-Oalh2MojUuk.jpg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1684547186311-X8BS4LKGL6N6N4H13UP9/unsplash-image-oXjvbhXxm4w.jpg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1c23c74a-b14b-4959-a92b-e15f7770b919/GPZI7F_awAEH9Uo.jpeg Mentorship https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec2b7c14a74fb57fc786ee8/1717861378103-HK4PV4YX8KJXFB6JJYOF/image-asset.jpeg Mentorship