With support from a prestigious NIH grant, Dr. John Pollock’s research on sex-based differences in chronic pain will give Duquesne students the opportunity to expand their horizons through hands-on discovery and advanced laboratory experience.
Dr. John Pollock, Professor of Biological Sciences and the Lambert F. Minucci Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computational Sciences at Duquesne University, has been awarded a $517,494 Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support his ongoing work on understanding sex-based differences in pain and pain-relief at the cellular level. The grant will also support the continued mentorship of Duquesne undergraduate researchers as they contribute to this critical and complex area of biomedical science.
Dr. Pollock’s research—conducted in collaboration with graduate students Maggie McQuaid and Teyah Spangler, and longtime colleague Professor Jelena Janjic—focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying chronic pain. Their lab is investigating how neurons, glial and immune cells interact differently in males and females in response to pain and pain relief. Using advanced imaging techniques like multicolor fluorescent single-molecule in situ hybridization, students are helping identify specific RNA splice variants and their roles in these sex differences. This work holds promise for developing more effective, personalized treatments for chronic pain.
Dr. Pollock has mentored more than 200 students in his lab and STEM education studio, including high school scholars, M.S. and Ph.D. students and even graduate students in the arts and education. Through the Partnership in Education—a program he directs—Pollock also develops STEM resources for schools and museums, ensuring that learning is accessible and inclusive for students of all ages and backgrounds.
Dr. Pollock’s research and mentorship prepare Duquesne students for anything—equipped not only with technical knowledge and lab skills, but also with experience in collaboration, critical thinking and societal impact. As an Emmy Award-winning educator, elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Apple Distinguished Educator, Dr. Pollock embodies Duquesne’s mission to empower students and faculty to engage with and shape the world around them.
Duquesne University’s School of Science and Engineering is proud to support faculty who push the boundaries of scientific understanding while cultivating the next generation of compassionate, skilled and socially conscious leaders in science and beyond.
News Information