Matthew Demmings, PhD

Matthew Demmings, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate
matthew.demmings@duke.edu

Matt is originally from Atlantic Canada and completed his degrees at Queen’s University and the University of Western Ontario. During his doctoral research in Dr. Sean Cregan’s lab at Western he was supported by awards including those from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Parkinson’s Canada, and the International Society for Neurochemistry. During his Ph.D., Matt focused on the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) in Parkinson’s disease, uncovering a novel ATF4–mTOR–PUMA signaling axis that links two major cellular pathways (ISR and mTOR) to explain how unresolved stress promotes dopaminergic neurodegeneration. In October 2025, Matt joined the Eroglu Lab as a postdoctoral researcher, where he is expanding his expertise to investigate how dopamine influences astrocyte biology in Parkinson’s Disease. Outside of the lab, Matt enjoys spending time outdoors, playing and watching sports, and being with friends and family.

Expertise

Neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s Disease Models, Confocal Microscopy, Biochemical Analysis, Viral Vector Design and Generation, Primary Cell Culture.