Scientist, Gatorade Sports Science Institute
A researcher interested in the biochemistry of exercise, Deborah San Juan coordinates GSSI Biochemistry lab operations that include conducting biochemical assays for blood, sweat and urine electrolytes, assays on gastrointestinal fluids to determine rates of gastric emptying and intestinal absorption of beverages and measuring blood substrate and hormone levels in response to exercise and changes in hydration status.
Prior to coming to GSSI, Deborah was a research specialist in the Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the University of Illinois at Chicago where she worked on projects related to differential expression of apolipoprotein-E
isoforms and LDL receptor expression in diseases related to atherosclerosis and
other metabolic disorders. She also worked as a Senior Research Assistant in the Biochemistry Department and a Research Technician at the Rush Cancer Institute at the Rush University Medical Center. While at Rush, Deborah provided lab support
on projects studying apoptosis in myelodysplastic syndromes, the causes and treatments
of rheumatoid arthritis and bone resorption, and most recently the mechanisms and
possible markers for predicting osteoarthritis and spine degeneration.
In addition to her research experience, she also taught Biology classes part-time at the Baguio Colleges Foundation in the Philippines and Anatomy and Physiology at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago.
Born in the Philippines, Deborah obtained her undergraduate and MS in Biology from St. Louis University (Philippines), and received an MS in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University.
Learn more at gssiweb.org