Joseph G Hacia, PhD

Joe Hacia is a medical geneticist and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. The Hacia laboratory focuses on developing therapies for genetic disorders caused by impaired peroxisome assembly, structure, and function. His group focuses on peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs), which include Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), and adult Refsum disease (ARD). Peroxisomal disorders can effect the functions of numerous organ systems and, depending on the subtype and severity, can frequently result in progressive vision and hearing loss, impaired neurological and liver functions, and skeletal and enamel defects.

The Hacia laboratory is involved in screening small molecule libraries for candidate therapies for peroxisomal disorders as well as gene augmentation and gene editing projects in mouse models of disease. By working closely with physician-scientists and patient advocacy groups including the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (GFPD) (https://www.thegfpd.org/), RhizoKids International (https://www.rhizokids.com/), United Leukodystrophy Foundation (https:/ulf.org), and Global DARE Foundation (https://www.defeatadultrefsumeverywhere.org/) they seek to translate their research into improved treatments in the near future.

The Hacia laboratory has also used comparative genomic and lipidomic approaches to uncover evidence that peroxisomal metabolic activities has been strongly influenced by diet in primate lineages. They wish to use the knowledge gained from these projects to benefit the health of captive non-human primates and people affected by peroxisomal disorders.

Research Interests: medical genetics, molecular therapies, gene therapies
Diseases Models: cultured fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells, genome-edited cell lines, genetically engineered rodents
Consortia: Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, RhizoKids International, United Leukodystrophy Foundation, Global DARE Foundation, Hannah’s Hope Fund

• University of Southern California: Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Science Years of Medical School, 2024
• American Society of Human Genetics: Chaired Session at ASHG meeting on Finding NEMO: Novel Enhanced Model Organism/Organs-on-Chips, 2023
• University of Southern California: Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2023
• University of Southern California: Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Science Years of Medical School, 2023
• University of Southern California: Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Science Years of Medical School, 2022
• Global DARE Foundation: Chair Scientific Advisory Board, Global DARE Foundation, 2022
• University of Southern California: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society by vote of the Class of 2022, Keck School of Medicine, 2022
• University of Southern California: Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Science Years of Medical School, 2021
• The Jackson Laboratory: Adjunct Faculty Member, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, 2020
• Global DARE Foundation: co-Chair Scientific Advisory Board, Global DARE Foundation, 2019-2022
• United Leukodystrophy Foundation: Member, Board of Directors, United Leukodystrophy Foundation, 2019
• University of Southern California: Year 1 USC Medical Teaching Award, 2018
• Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders: Co-organized Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders Scientific Conferences, 2017-2022
• Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders: Award of Recognition for Excellence in Scientific Community Building for PBD Research by the GFPD, 2017
• University of Southern California: Year 1 Outstanding Course Award for USC Medical Teaching, 2016
• BMC Medical Genomics: Editorial Board BMC Medical Genomics, 2016
• University of Southern California: Year 1 USC Medical Teaching Award, 2016
• University of Southern California: Master Teacher of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, 2016
• RhizoKids International: Member, Scientific Advisory Board, RhizoKids International, 2016
• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Chaired Session at ‘Leukodystrophies Conference’ in Baltimore, Maryland, 2016
• American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy: Member of Chemical Gene & Cell Therapy Committee of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, 2015-2018
• ALD Connect: Member of X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) Connect Workgroup on Therapy Review, 2015
• University of Southern California: Year 2 USC Medical Teaching Award, 2015
• American Society of Human Genetics: Chaired Session at ASHG meeting on Targeted Drug Therapies for Progressive Genetic Disorders, 2014
• University of Southern California: Year 1 USC Medical Teaching Award, 2013
• California Institute for Regenerative Medicine: External Reviewer, Institute of Medicine Review of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 2012
• BMC Genomics: Editorial Board BMC Genomics, 2010
• Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders: Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, 2010
• American Society of Human Genetics: Chaired Session at ASHG meeting on Early Diagnosis and Treatment of CNS-based Metabolic Disorders, 2010
• University of Southern California: Member of NIH Comparative Genomics Study Section, 2008-2013
• Nucleic Acids Research: Editorial Board Nucleic Acids Research, 2008
• Genome Research: Editorial Board of Genome Research, 2004-2010
• The V Foundation for Cancer Research: V Foundation Scholar, 2002
• American Society of Human Genetics: American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Postdoctoral Translational Research Award, 2000
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellow, 1989-1995

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• Chai, Yang
• Paine, Michael
• Lenz, Heinz-Josef
• Carlson, Kristian
• Farnham, Peggy