Colin S. McCoin, PhD

Professional Background

Dr. Colin McCoin is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. After several years of industry research as a molecular biologist in vaccines and diagnostics he pivoted to graduate school. Dr. McCoin received his Ph.D. in 2015 from the University of California, Davis and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center with Dr. John Thyfault, a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.
Dr. McCoin has received numerous awards and fellowships while at KUMC, including KUMC Biomedical Research Training Program (BRTP), K-INBRE, Frontiers CTSA TL1 Postdoctoral Fellowship, and pilot grants from the KUMC Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Children’s Mercy Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles andamp; Nutrition.

• BS, Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Research

Overview

Dr. McCoin's major research interests are in mitochondrial physiology, with a focus on how physical activity and diet influence mitochondrial health and dynamics across tissues. Additionally, his current research explores the effects of specific drug therapies on metabolism and overall health in aging populations.

• McCoin, C., S, Von Schulze, A, Allen, J, Fuller KNZ, Xia, Q, Koestler, D., C, Houchen, C., J, Maurer, A, Dorn, 2nd, G., W, Shankar, K, Morris, E., M, Thyfault, J., P. 2019. Sex modulates hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to high-fat diet and physical activity.. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism, 317 (2), E298-E311
• Von Schulze, A, McCoin, C., S, Onyekere, C, Allen, J, Geiger, P, Dorn, 2nd, G., W, Morris, E., M, Thyfault, J., P. 2018. Hepatic mitochondrial adaptations to physical activity: impact of sexual dimorphism, PGC1α and BNIP3-mediated mitophagy.. The Journal of physiology, 596 (24), 6157-6171
• Fuller KNZ, McCoin, C., S, Allen, J, Bell-Glenn, S, Koestler, D., C, Dorn, G., W, Thyfault, J., P. 2020. Sex and BNIP3 genotype, rather than acute lipid injection, modulate hepatic mitochondrial function and steatosis risk in mice.. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 128 (5), 1251-1261
• Morris, E., M, Noland, R., D, Allen, J., A, McCoin, C., S, Xia, Q, Koestler, D., C, Shook, R., P, Lighton JRB, Christianson, J., A, Thyfault, J., P. 2020. Difference in Housing Temperature-Induced Energy Expenditure Elicits Sex-Specific Diet-Induced Metabolic Adaptations in Mice.. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 28 (10), 1922-1931