Distinguished Scientist Larisa Poluektova, M.D., Ph.D.

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony for UNMC’s 2016 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.

• Name: Larisa Poluektova, M.D., Ph.D.
• Title: Professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine
• Joined UNMC: 1998
• Hometown: Yampol, Ukraine

Research focus:
Humanized mice models

The goal of my research is to improve basic and translational studies for human immune system and infectious diseases.

My research will make a difference because humanized mice hold great value and promise in biomedical research when considering the ethical and technical constraints associated with human studies. Through a better understanding of human gene function in an in vivo setting, these models play a key role in the identification and development of new therapies for the treatment of human infectious disease such as HIV, hepatitis and herpes viruses, as well as highly relevant microbial infections such as tuberculosis and malaria. Humanized mice models demonstrate outstanding potential for the investigation of critical aspects of the neurodegenerative disorders, for example, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. We are expecting expanding use of humanized mice for cancer research.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is:

• “However much you knock at nature’s door, she will never answer you in comprehensible words.” — Ivan Turgenev
• “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Three things you may not know about me:

• I studied music in school.
• I love visual and performing arts.
• I can’t ride a bicycle.