Sarah Hamm-Alvarez, PhD

Sarah Hamm-Alvarez, PhD, is Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Basic Research at the USC Roski Institute, and Associate Dean, Basic and Translational Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Hamm-Alvarez holds a secondary faculty appointment as Professor of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at USC’s School of Pharmacy. She also directs the Office of Research Development at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC-CTSI).

An expert in cellular membrane trafficking and high-resolution imaging, Professor Hamm-Alvarez is recognized internationally for her work on regulated exocytosis in acinar cells. Her membrane-trafficking research has sparked new growth of translational programs in her laboratory ultimately aimed at improving clinical diagnosis and treatment of SjÖgren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease affecting the secretory function of the lacrimal gland and the integrity of the ocular surface. Other of her research programs focus on protein-targeted drug delivery. characterizing nanoparticle interactions with cells, and development of protein polymer-based drug delivery systems for ocular diseases.

Professor Hamm-Alvarez was awarded a PhD in Biochemistry from Duke University in 1990, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Cell Biology in 1993. She has authored numerous papers, served on editorial boards and grant review committees, is an AAPS fellow, and received an Honorary Doctorate from Linneaus University in Sweden.

• Duke University: Muscular Dystrophy Association Postdoctoral Fellow, 1991
   – 1993
• American Heart Association: Initial Investigatorship, 1994
   – 1996
• Linneaus University, Kalmar Sweden: Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, 2003
• USC School of Pharmacy: John A. Biles Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003
• USC School of Pharmacy: Gavin S. Herbert Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2004
   – 2015
• Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Representative, 2010
   – 2011
• American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists: Fellow, 2014

• Carleton College, Northfield, MN — BA — 1986 — Chemistry
• Duke University, Durham, NC — Ph. D. — 1990 — Biochemistry
• Duke University, Durham, NC — postdoctoral — 1993 — Cell Biology

• Development of a novel tear-based biomarker assay for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease using RT-QuIC
  NIH · R21AG066070 · Aug 1, 2020 – Apr 30, 2022 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Protein-polymer nanomedicine for Sjogren's Syndrome
  NIH · R01EY026635 · Mar 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2027 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Protein-polymer nanomedicines for Sjogren's syndrome
  National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute · Mar 1, 2017 – Feb 28, 2021 · Role: One of two multi-PI investigators with JA MacKay
• Identification of tear biomarkers for Parkinson's disease patients
  Michael J Fox Foundation · Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2018 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Trafficking of plgR in Lacrimal Gland
  NIH · R01EY016985 · Aug 1, 2006 – Jun 30, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Ad5 Fiber Entry and Trafficking in Lacrimal Acini
  NIH · R01EY017293 · Apr 3, 2006 – Mar 31, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Adenovirus Modulation of Lacrimal Gland Function
  NIH · R03EY013949 · Apr 1, 2003 – Mar 31, 2006 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Microtubule-based Transport in Lacrimal Gland Function
  NIH · R01EY011386 · Jul 1, 1996 – Jun 30, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
• CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF TAXOL TOXICITY
  NIH · R29CA063387 · Apr 1, 1994 – May 15, 1999 · Role: Principal Investigator

• lacrimal gland
• tear film
• ocular surface
• inflammation
• drug delivery
• nanoparticle
• Sjogren's syndrome
• cornea
• autoimmune disease
• exocytosis
• membrane trafficking
• Rab proteins
• actin filaments
• biomarkers

• Sarah Hamm-Alvarez To Lead SC CTSI Research Development (2/1/2012)

• MacKay, John
• Louie, Stanley
• Arkfeld, Daniel
• Stohl, William
• Akbari, Omid
• Wang, Pin