Senior Research Associate

Kana Tsukamoto Meece joined IHMC as a Senior Research Associate in November 2022 and works with Dr. Marcus Bamman and Dr. Morley Stone on human performance projects.

Prior to joining IHMC, Kana was a senior staff associate at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Her previous published research was in melanocortin neuropeptide systems, which plays a key role in regulating appetite and body weight, and is an important target for leptin and insulin in the hypothalamus. To study the regulatory role of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)  and its derived peptides, her studies used a transgenic and knockout mouse model under dietary restriction and high fat diet setting in responses to changes in body weight/composition and glucose and fat metabolism.

Her research focus includes POMC peptide processing mechanism in response to energy balance. Mutations in POMC, POMC-processing enzymes, and melanocortin receptors have all been associated with obesity in humans and have many similarities to rodent models of melanocortin deficiency, making these studies highly relevant to energy balance in humans.

What particularly drew her to IHMC is its collaborative environment, where interdisciplinary teams unite to tackle complex challenges. This holistic approach not only fosters groundbreaking discoveries but also translates scientific advancements into tangible improvements in healthspan and individual performance. IHMC’s reputation for cultivating a culture of curiosity, excellence, and supportive mentorship closely aligns with her personal values and career aspirations.

Kana earned a master’s degree in biology from the University of West Florida. Originally from Japan, she currently lives in Pensacola with her husband, daughter, and son.