Philip Mackie
Philip Mackie earned the Toffler Scholar Award in 2023 at the University of Florida
Biography
Philip Mackie, a native of the Tampa-Clearwater area of Florida, was raised by parents who worked as physical therapists. His early exposure to healthcare sparked an interest in the young Mackie. Initially torn between medicine and engineering, Philip found inspiration from his mentor, Dr. Jeff Jacobs, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, and decided to dedicate himself to a career in medical research.
After completing his public education, Philip chose to pursue his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida (UF), driven by an interest in STEM fields. With guidance from Dr. Jeff Jacobs, Philip applied to the BA MD Fast Track program at UF, solidifying his commitment to a future in medicine and research.
Undertaking undergraduate studies at UF, Philip navigated the Fast Track program. Key mentorship and experiences during undergraduate seminars and in his undergraduate research lab influenced the decision to delve further into the area of research and to join UF's MD-Phd program. This academic path led to a Ph.D. focused on the immune system's role in Parkinson's disease, particularly exploring a subtype of macrophages in the gut. The transition from mouse models to stem cell derived models marked a pivotal point in Philip's research journey.
"The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust played a pivotal role in supporting the stem cell component of my research, and it enabled the comprehensive characterization of the stem cell model, enhancing the rigor and depth of my research."
- Philip Mackie
BIOGRAPHY
Philip Mackie, a native of the Tampa-Clearwater area of Florida, was raised by parents who worked as physical therapists. His early exposure to healthcare sparked an interest in the young Mackie. Initially torn between medicine and engineering, Philip found inspiration from his mentor, Dr. Jeff Jacobs, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, and decided to dedicate himself to a career in medical research.
After completing his public education, Philip chose to pursue his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida (UF), driven by an interest in STEM fields. With guidance from Dr. Jeff Jacobs, Philip applied to the BA MD Fast Track program at UF, solidifying his commitment to a future in medicine and research.
Undertaking undergraduate studies at UF, Philip navigated the Fast Track program. Key mentorship and experiences during undergraduate seminars and in his undergraduate research lab influenced the decision to delve further into the area of research and to join UF's MD-Phd program. This academic path led to a Ph.D. focused on the immune system's role in Parkinson's disease, particularly exploring a subtype of macrophages in the gut. The transition from mouse models to stem cell derived models marked a pivotal point in Philip's research journey.
"The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust played a pivotal role in supporting the stem cell component of my research, and it enabled the comprehensive characterization of the stem cell model, enhancing the rigor and depth of my research."
- Philip Mackie
Research Focus
Challenges
The research faces the challenge of addressing the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease confined to the intestine. Significance lies in unraveling disease progression, yet limitations in existing models prompt the need for innovative approaches. Gaps in understanding the precise role of gut macrophages in disease onset and progression present challenges to be addressed.
Benefits
Positive outcomes from Philip's efforts may include biomarker identification for the prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease, leading to early intervention strategies. Potential applications extend to improving patient care, providing insights into disease mechanisms, and contributing valuable knowledge to the broader scientific community.
Karen Toffler Charitable Trust Investment
The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust played a pivotal role in supporting the stem cell component of the research. Funds were allocated for reagents essential for stem cell differentiation and a significant experiment involving single-cell RNA sequencing. The Trust's contribution enabled the comprehensive characterization of the stem cell model, enhancing the rigor and depth of Philip's research.
Karen Toffler Charitable Trust Investment
The Karen Toffler Charitable Trust played a pivotal role in supporting the stem cell component of the research. Funds were allocated for reagents essential for stem cell differentiation and a significant experiment involving single-cell RNA sequencing. The Trust's contribution enabled the comprehensive characterization of the stem cell model, enhancing the rigor and depth of Philip's research.
"Gaps in understanding the precise role of gut macrophages in disease onset and progression present challenges to be addressed. My hope is that our efforts will lead to early intervention strategies that will improve patient care."
- Philip Mackie