Wulff Lab Safety Award Winner

From the School of Medicine, this year’s winner is Dr. Heike Wulff

The Wulff Lab studies ion channel pharmacology, focusing on the development of new ion channel modulators as potential drugs for autoimmune diseases, fibroproliferative disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Ion channels are tiny gateways in cell membranes that control the flow of charged particles, like sodium or potassium ions, into and out of cells. By studying how these channels work, the Wulff Lab aims to develop ion channel modulators as research tools and potential drugs that can target specific channels involved in diseases.

Dr. Heike Wulff and her lab members smile and hold peace signs for the camera while in their lab.
Dr. Heike Wulff (left) and her lab group.

The Wulff Lab’s long-term goal is to translate their work into clinically used therapy, and their groundbreaking research has recently led to a Phase-2 clinical trial at the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center targeting the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Safety is a top priority in the Wulff Lab, operating under Illness and Injury Prevention and Chemical Hygiene Plans. The lab’s safety protocols include specific training for handling hazardous materials such as pyrophorics, carcinogens and medical waste. 

Lab member works on scientific equipment while wearing a white lab coat and goggles.
Two lab members work on a project out of frame. They are both wearing blue lab coats and safety goggles.
Lab member holds a vial and smiles. She is wearing a blue lab coat and goggles.

Dr. Wulff ensures lab members are well-versed in safety procedures and reinforces the importance of proper documentation, use of PPE, and safe chemical storage. Dr. Wulff also shares her own stories of accidents she had witnessed as a teaching assistant in Germany to emphasize the importance of lab safety to her team.

"I make sure my trainees understand the risks involved in their work and behave and dress appropriately," she said, adding that her lab encourages open communication and reporting near misses and safety concerns.

The lab’s commitment to safety extends beyond the day-to-day hazards in the lab, as Dr. Wulff emphasizes a supportive, safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for trainees from varied backgrounds. She has worked with students and postdocs from underrepresented groups and created part-time positions for technicians with childcare responsibilities, supporting their professional growth while raising a family. 

The Wulff Lab aims to continue translating its research into clinical applications, expanding their work on ion channel blockers. Dr. Wulff remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists while pushing the boundaries of pharmacological research.