Rate My Professor Matthew Pawlus

Matthew Pawlus is an Associate Professor of Biology in the School of Natural Sciences at Black Hills State University. He earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and a B.S. in Biology from Colorado Mesa University. Pawlus completed postdoctoral research at the University of Washington's Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Prior to his current position, he served as an Assistant Professor of Science at the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus, where he taught biology, chemistry, and geology courses and conducted research on harmful algal blooms affecting shellfish.

Pawlus's research investigates interactions between environmental factors and human cells that contribute to disease, utilizing human cell-based models. Current projects include the neurodegenerative effects of the cyanobacterial biotoxin beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) on human neural cells, BMAA's promotion of mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma cells, protective effects of melatonin on human retinal cells, and the Wnt signaling pathway's roles in cell differentiation, development, regeneration, and disease. Key publications include 'The biotoxin BMAA promotes mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma cells' (2024), 'The biotoxin BMAA promotes dysfunction via distinct mechanisms in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma cells' (PLoS One, 2023), 'HIFs enhance the transcriptional activation and splicing of adrenomedullin during hypoxia' (Oncogene, 2014), 'Enhanceosomes as integrators of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) and non-HIF signals: the VEGF promoter example' (American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology, 2013), 'Upstream stimulatory factor 2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) cooperatively activate hypoxia-inducible genes' (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2012), 'STAT3 or USF2 contributes to HIF target gene specificity' (PLoS One, 2013), and contributions to 'Disruptive CHD8 mutations define a subtype of autism early in development' (Cell, 2014). In 2024-2025, he received the Outstanding Service Award from BHSU's College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Pawlus teaches in the Biology program and Master of Science in Integrative Genomics, advises students, participates in research symposia, and delivers public outreach such as DNA extraction demonstrations.