Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska's Biography

Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska, Associate Professor, University of Michigan

Dr. Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska is an Associate Professor of Pathology, Director of Molecular & Cellular Pathology Graduate Program, and co-Director of T32 NIGMS training program in translational research, at Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan. Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska received her B.S. in Pharmacy, M.S. and Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. She completed post-doctoral training in drug discovery with Professor Shaomeng Wang at the University of Michigan. In 2008 Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska joined the faculty of the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan as Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor (with tenure) in 2015. Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska’s lab focuses on chemical genomics, discovery and application of active chemical compounds for the interrogation of biological systems and improvement of human health. Her research aims on discovery, design, characterization and development of small- molecules as new molecularly targeted therapies for cancer by using interdisciplinary approach combining biophysical and biochemical methods, structural biology, medicinal chemistry and functional biology. In particular her research is focused on targeting protein-protein interactions involved in controlling the programmed cell death and epigenetics. Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska was the recipient of several awards including New Investigator Award from Leukemia Research Foundation and Innovator Award from Harrington Discovery Institute. Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska is an inventor on more than 13 international and US patents and patent applications, contributing to the discovery and development of clinical candidate AT-406, an XIAP inhibitor, which is currently in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of human cancer. Dr. Nikolovska-Coleska is also serving as a consultant of biotechnology companies in the drug discovery field.