Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Dept of Biological Sciences
Year arrived at Boise State University: 2013
Mailing Address:
Dept of Biological Sciences
Boise State University
1910 University Dr
Boise, ID 83725-1515
Office Location: Science Building, Room 132
Lab Location: Science Building, Room 411
Office Number: 208-426-3201
Office Fax: 208-426-1040
E-Mail Address: bradmorrison@boisestate.edu
ACADEMIC DEGREES
- Ph.D. Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, 2006
- B.S. Microbiology, University of Texas in Austin, 2000
TEACHING
- ZOOL 400/500 Vertebrate Histology
- BIOL 343 Genetics
- BIOL 497/597 The Pathophysiology of Neurodegenerative Disease
AWARDS
- Osher Foundation Grant, 2026
- INBRE Supplement, National Institutes of Health, 2023
- COBRE Junior Investigator, National Institutes of Health, 2018-22
- R15 award, National Institutes of Health, 2016
- Top Ten Scholar Honored Faculty, Boise State University, 2015
Morrison Lab Website
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that contribute to Parkinson’s disease, with emphasis on inflammatory signaling, autophagy dysfunction, lipid-mediated regulation of neuronal health, and tissue renewal. We have developed the first pharmacological inhibitor of human IL13RA1, a receptor associated with Parkinson’s disease and allergic inflammation, and are testing whether blocking inappropriate IL13RA1 signaling can benefit individuals with Parkinson’s disease, seasonal allergies, or related inflammatory conditions.
We also study familial Parkinson’s disease mechanisms involving VPS35, HMMR-dependent extracellular matrix signaling, and FABP5-regulated lipid control of autophagy in dopaminergic neuron-like cells. More broadly, my laboratory is exploring how adult tissues preserve specialized cell populations, how cells coordinate large-scale protein turnover during differentiation (autism relevant), and how extracellular NAD+ availability influences signaling pathways relevant to inflammation, neurodegeneration, and tissue health.