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Presence Current · Arkansas
Last published 2026
Sources OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed 2026-10-08

Kari Naylor

Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.

Federal Grant PI

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Also affiliated: University of California, Davis (2002–2005)

9 h-index 14 pubs 576 cited

  • Mitochondrial Dynamics
  • Mitochondria
  • Dictyostelium
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Humans
  • Microtubules
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Division
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins

Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Kari Naylor's research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dynamics, focusing on the processes of fission, fusion, and motility. Her work has explored the roles of specific proteins, such as the WD repeat protein Mdv1p, in mediating mitochondrial division by interacting with other key proteins like Dnm1p and Fis1p. Naylor has also examined the influence of the cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules and actin, on mitochondrial dynamics across various model organisms, including yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and amoeba (Dictyostelium discoideum), and its implications for mammalian cells.

Her federally funded research, supported by a $541,615 NSF grant, specifically aims to elucidate the function of FtsZs and the cytoskeleton in determining the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in Dictyostelium discoideum. Naylor's studies have also ventured into the effects of environmental factors and compounds on mitochondrial health, including the impact of rotenone, a known inducer of Parkinson's disease, on mitochondrial dynamics in Dictyostelium. Additionally, her work has touched upon the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and axon degeneration, as well as the potential rescue effects of specific gene overexpression.

With an h-index of 9 and 14 total publications, Naylor has collaborated with several colleagues at the University of Central Arkansas, including Stephany D. Crabtrey, Samantha R. Hewett, Richard M. Tarkka, and Evan Downs. Her research output demonstrates a consistent engagement with fundamental questions in cell biology, particularly concerning organelle function and cellular architecture.

Metrics

  • h-index: 9
  • Publications: 14
  • Citations: 576

Selected Publications

  • Inhibition of mitochondrial dynamics in Dictyostelium discoideum through the overexpression of FszA and FszB proteins (2026)
    Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology DOI OpenAlex
  • Simple to Complex: The Role of Actin and Microtubules in Mitochondrial Dynamics in Amoeba, Yeast, and Mammalian Cells (2022)
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Both Manuka and Non-Manuka Honey Types Inhibit Antibiotic Resistant Wound-Infecting Bacteria (2022)
    Antibiotics 17 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Identifying the Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species on Mitochondrial Dynamics and Cytoskeleton Stability in Dictyostelium discoideum (2021)
    Cells 5 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • The FtsZ Homolog, FszB, Inhibits Mitochondrial Dynamics in Dictyostelium discoideum (2019)
    Cells 5 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Exploring the Effect of Rotenone—A Known Inducer of Parkinson’s Disease—On Mitochondrial Dynamics in Dictyostelium discoideum (2018)
    Cells 40 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics Decrease Prior to Axon Degeneration Induced by Vincristine and are Partially Rescued by Overexpressed cytNmnat1 (2016)
    Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience 37 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Microtubules Are Essential for Mitochondrial Dynamics–Fission, Fusion, and Motility–in Dictyostelium discoideum (2016)
    Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 50 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • MCF‐7 breast cancer cell internal pH regulation (2013)
    The FASEB Journal DOI OpenAlex
  • A Simple Microscopy Assay to Teach the Processes of Phagocytosis and Exocytosis (2012)
    CBE—Life Sciences Education 10 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Mitochondrial fission and fusion in Dictyostelium discoideum: a search for proteins involved in membrane dynamics (2012)
    BMC Research Notes 19 citations DOI OpenAlex

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Federal Grants 1 $541,615 total

Collaboration Network

26 Collaborators 5 Institutions 1 Country

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