Justin Snider, PhD
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Washington State University, a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Stony Brook University.
With over 20 years of specialized experience in LC/MS assay development, I have established expertise across lipidomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. During my tenure at Stony Brook University, I served as Technical Director of the Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility, where I managed instrumentation operations, directed assay development initiatives, and facilitated collaborative research projects.
Currently, I hold the position of Research Professor in Nutritional Sciences, where I leverage advanced mass spectrometry-based methodologies to elucidate metabolic regulation and disease mechanisms. Building on my prior experience as Co-Director of the Analytical Chemistry Shared Resource, I have assumed the role of Director, with responsibility for strategic planning, scientific advancement, and operational oversight of the core facility while supporting translational and clinical research endeavors.
Cancer Focus
Dr. Snider’s research focuses on uncovering how lipid metabolism drives cancer biology, using cutting-edge mass spectrometry and chromatography approaches. His lab studies how complex lipid pathways generate bioactive molecules with powerful, but still poorly understood, roles in cell signaling and disease progression. By using isotopically labeled and odd-chain lipid substrates, his team dissects the dynamics of de novo lipid metabolism and reveals how chemotherapeutic agents reshape these signaling networks.
Current projects in the lab emphasize biomarker discovery and assay development in prostate and colon cancers. Students are actively involved in applying untargeted metabolomics to identify key metabolites linked to cancer progression, followed by the development of robust quantitative assays for clinical and translational research. This work provides hands-on training in advanced analytical technologies while addressing fundamental questions with direct relevance to human health.
Current Projects:
1) Lipid-Based Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
We are developing a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) platform to quantify clinically relevant lipid metabolites in human plasma. Using untargeted lipidomics on samples from over 250 prostate cancer patients, we have identified more than 20 lipid species that are significantly altered with disease state. Ongoing work focuses on translating these discoveries into defined cutoff values that can distinguish indolent from aggressive prostate cancer and translational cancer biology, offering trainees exposure to clinically impactful research.
2) Defining Roles of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease
Our lab investigates how neurotoxic 1-deoxysphingolipids (DSLs) contribute to Alzheimer’s disease progression and how serine metabolism regulates their formation in neurons and astrocytes. Using untargeted lipidomics of postmortem human brain tissue, we identified DSLs as among the most significantly elevated lipids in Alzheimer’s disease, motivating the development of targeted LC–MS/MS assays to quantify these pathways. We combine these analytical tools with physiologically relevant astrocyte–neuron co-culture systems and stable isotope tracing to define sphingolipid metabolic flux under Alzheimer’s-like conditions. Ongoing studies examine how amyloid-β exposure and altered serine racemase activity shift canonical and non-canonical sphingolipid metabolism toward neurotoxic DSL production. Our work aims to identify specific lipids and metabolic pathways that contribute to neuronal death, providing new mechanistic insight into neurodegeneration and potential therapeutic targets.
Completed, Ongoing, and Emerging Projects
1) Engineering Brown Recluse Spider Venom for Mechanistic Insight and Synthetic Antivenom Development
We are modifying and profiling venom-derived lipids and proteins to better understand their mechanism of tissue damage, with the long-term goal of developing safer, synthetic antivenoms.
2) Lipid Metabolism in Spinal Cord Injury and Recovery
This project investigates lipid-mediated signaling pathways that influence neuronal damage and regeneration following spinal cord injury, aiming to identify mechanisms that can improve functional recovery.
3) Fermentation Science and Antioxidant Production in Beer
Using metabolomics and lipidomics, we study fermentation processes to enhance the generation and recovery of antioxidant compounds in beer, bridging analytical chemistry with food and fermentation science.
4) Lipid Flux in Colon Cancer Driven by Common Mutations
We examine how four frequently occurring colon cancer mutations reprogram lipid metabolism to promote tumor formation. This project uses isotope tracing to directly measure lipid flux and identify metabolic vulnerabilities.
5) Native Southwestern Seed Oils as Novel Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
We are profiling lipid compositions of indigenous Southwestern plants and have identified several cactus species that produce omega-3 fatty acids, representing a potential sustainable, vegan source of these essential lipids.