Tracey D. Ward, PhD

Tracey D. Ward, PhD

Professor
Professor of Medicinal Chemistry & Medical Biochemistry
Pharmaceutical Science
Phone: (231) 591-2283
Email: [email protected]

Education

• PhD, Wayne State University, Pharmaceutical Sciences: Medicinal Chemistry
• BS, University of Michigan, Biology/Chemistry

Biography

My research group focuses on the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel PPAR alpha/delta dual agonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Preliminary data has shown reversal of AD pathologies both in vivo and in a in vivo AD mouse model. Improvement of both short and long term memory, improved behavioral side effects and decreased neuro-inflammation was observed with only 30-day treatment. These novel PPAR molecules represent a class of nuclear receptors known as Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR). PPAR-alpha receptors are heavily expressed in the brain and activation has shown to be novel target for promising PPAR molecules with the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. PPAR-delta is more expressed in the liver and activation with PPAR agonist enhances lipid oxidation, glucose uptake and improved mitochondrial function. PPAR delta agonists have shown significant promise with fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. All PPAR agonists are designed to be very selective for the respective PPAR and in silica molecular modeling technology has enhanced the drug discovery advancement of drug development. My drug discovery research group is focused on using computational chemistry coupled with traditional chemistry methods to expand and advance current promising lead molecules for these respective diseases. Some of our designed and patented structures are currently under clinical trial evaluation and may one day potentially offer new solutions with the treatment for these progressive diseases.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions

• Book
  Ward, T. D. (2025). "Medical Biochemistry and Drug Interaction Basics," Iowa: Great River Learning.
• Journal Article
  Steinke, I., Govindarajulu, M., Pinky, P. D., Bloemer, J., Yoo, S., Ward, T. D., Schaedig, T., Young, T., Wibowo, F. S., Suppiramaniam, V., Amin, R. H. (2023). "Selective PPAR-Delta/PPAR-Gamma Activation Improves Cognition in a Model of Alzheimer’s Disease," Cells. 12 (8). p. 1116. MDPI AG. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cells12081116
• Journal Article
  Strom, D. K., Li, D., Brinkman, H., Gleason, S., Hershberger, S., Cumbay, M., LaFontaine, M., Boncher, T. D., Hegwood, E. (2018). "A putative PPAR beta/delta agonist induces cell death in human cancer cell lines," The FASEB Journal. 32 (S1). Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.836.9
• Journal Article
  Betts, R., Moody, M., Rimpel, M., Saul, A., Boncher, T. (2016). "Building Peptidomimetics using Solid Phase Synthesis with 2 Chlorotrityl Chloride Resin," Journal of Advanced Chemical Sciences. (2). pp. 387-389. JACS. http://jacsdirectory.com/journal-of-advanced-chemical-sciences/admin/issues/20161113130151_2-4-05%20JACS16126%20published.pdf
• Journal Article
  Nanayakkara, G., Thirruchelvam, K., Gathiaka, S., Shravanthi, M., Nine, B., Acevedo, O., Arnold, R., Boncher, T. D., Alasmari, A., Eldoumani, H., Andiron, A., Amin, R. (2014). "Selective activation of the AF-2 Ligand Binding Domain of PPAR gamma receptor improves memory and BDNF expression," Journal of Neuropharmacology.
• Journal Article
  Bonkowski, B., Wieczorek, J., Mimansa, P., Craig, C., Gravelin, A., Boncher, T. (2013). "Basic Concepts of Using Solid Phase Synthesis to Build Small Organic Molecules Using 2-Chlorotrityl Chloride Resin," Modern Chemistry and Applications. 1 (4). p. 4. https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/basic-concepts-of-using-solid-phase-synthesis-to-build-small-organic-molecules-using-chlorotrityl-chloride-resin-2329-6798.1000113.pdf
• Journal Article
  Gathiaka, S., Nanayakkara, G., Boncher, T., Acevedo, O., Wyble, J., Patel, S., Patel, A., Shane, M. E., Bonkowski, B., Wieczorek, J., Rong, Y., Huggins, K., Smith, F., Amin, R. H. (2013). "Design, development and evaluation of novel dual PPARδ/PPARγ agonists." Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters. 23 (3). pp. 873-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23273519/
• Journal Article
  Ward, T. D. (2012). "The Pharmacist's Role in Managing Pain Associated With Ocular Trauma," US Pharmacist. 37 (5). pp. 39-42. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/the-pharmacists-role-in-managing-pain-associated-with-ocular-trauma
• Journal Article
  Senanayake, M. D., Amunugama, H., Boncher, T. D., Casero, R. A., Woster, P. M. (2009). "Design of polyamine-based therapeutic agents: new targets and new directions." Essays in biochemistry. 46 pp. 77-94.
• Book Chapter
  Ward, T. D. (2009). "Design of Polyamide-based therapeutic agents: new targets and new directions," Essays in Biochemistry. 46 pp. 77-94. http://essays.biochemistry.org/content/46/77

Presentations

• Poster
  Luarasi, X. (Author & Presenter), Korhorn, E. (Author), Brekke, G. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), MidSURE, "Peroxisome Proliferated-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, (July 22, 2025).
• Poster
  Korhorn, E. (Author), Brekke, G. (Author & Presenter), Connors, E. (Author), Tran, M. (Author), Wandell, B. (Author & Presenter), Barnes, K. (Author & Presenter), Vo, T. (Author & Presenter), Bower, J. (Author & Presenter), Luarasi, X. (Author), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D., Michigan Pharmacist Association, "Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," MPA, Traverse City, Michigan, (April 12, 2025).
• Poster
  Korhorn, E. (Author), Brekke, G. (Author & Presenter), Conners, E., Tran, M., Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), WMRUGS VanAndel Science Research Symposium Conference, "Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD," Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, (November 2, 2024).
• Oral Presentation
  Ward, T. D., Grand Rapids Technology Conference, "Research Focus in Alzheimer's Disease and Fatty Liver Disease," Grand Rapids, MI, (September 18, 2024).
• Oral Presentation
  Majarian, P. (Author & Presenter), Zombron, P. M. (Author & Presenter), Kollalpitya, K. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), Celebration of Research, "PPAR delta Agonists for the Treatment of Fatty Liver Disease," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (September 13, 2024).
• Poster
  Korhorn, E. (Author & Presenter), Brekke, G. (Author & Presenter), Amin, R., Ward, T. D. (Author & Presenter), Mid-sure Undergraduate Research Conference, "Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor (PPAR) - Delta Agonist as Promising Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, (July 24, 2024).
• Poster
  Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Zalpusky, B. (Other), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Armstrong, K. (Other), Birely, P. (Other), Jordan, E. (Presenter), Brown, K. (Presenter), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), Mid-SURE 2023, "Promising PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator Advanced Receptor) molecules as treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and decreased neuroinflammation," Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, (July 26, 2023).
• Poster
  Zalupski, B. (Author & Presenter), York, H. (Other), Korhorn, E. (Other), Brekke, G. (Other), Strickland, N. (Other), Aldiney, B. (Presenter), Birely, P. (Other), Ward, T. D. (Author), American College of Clinical Pharmacology, "Drug Discovery of PPAR Agonists as Novel Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease," ACCP, Dallas, Texas, (September 9, 2023).
• Poster
  Zalpusky, B. (Author & Presenter), York, H. (Other), Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Strickland, N. (Other), Aldiney, B. (Other), Birely, P. (Other), Ward, T. D. (Author), Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Work, "Drug Discovery of PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor) Agonists as Novel Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (April 20, 2023).
• Poster
  Korhorn, E. (Presenter), Zalupski, B. (Other), Brekke, G. (Presenter), Jordan, E. (Presenter), Brown, K. (Presenter), Birely, P., York, H. (Other), Stoddard, K. (Presenter), Maloney, P. (Other), Amissah, F. (Author), Ward, T. D. (Author), VanAndel Research Symposium, "Promising PPAR-α(Peroxisome Proliferator Advanced Receptor)  Analogues as Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and Decreased Neuroinflammation ," VanAndel, Grand Rapids, MI, (November 4, 2023).