He expanded his expertise in the lab of Andrew Russo, PhD, a professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. Russo is an internationally recognized migraine expert whose research contributed to the development of FDA-approved drugs targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a molecule linked to migraine pain. Together, Russo and Sowers patented a drug targeting another peptide implicated in headache disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), which recently completed Phase II clinical trials. This work helped inform Sowers’ current research.
Sowers serves as an investigator with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, based in Iowa City. His VA-affiliated lab focuses on the brain mechanisms behind sensory symptoms like photophobia, or light sensitivity, which is often the most distressing symptom of both migraine and PTH, second only to pain. “When I started working on traumatic brain injury-induced headaches and migraines, which are huge problems among Veterans, it was meaningful to know that my work might help in some way,” Sowers says. “I think we have a moral obligation to take care of our Veterans.”
Sowers’ lab uses advanced tools like optogenetics, which employs genetic engineering and fiber-optic light to activate or silence specific brain regions in animal models. This technique allows researchers to pinpoint how different parts of the brain contribute to symptoms like light sensitivity. More recently, his team has adopted DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs), which offer similar control using targeted chemical compounds. These tools help identify promising brain targets, paving the way for future non-pharmacological therapies.
Sowers’ commitment to Veterans also extends beyond the lab. In 2018, he launched Vets First, a podcast created as part of a broader VA outreach initiative. The show features interviews with scientists, clinicians, and Veterans, covering a wide range of topics. With over 33 episodes and 15,000 downloads, it makes veteran-focused research accessible to a broader audience.
“We communicate science in a way that Veterans can connect with,” Sowers says. “It’s been a great way to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.”
Sowers has also joined forces with other UI researchers to tackle broader questions about brain health through interdisciplinary collaborations. He is currently part of two major initiatives funded by the Iowa Neuroscience Institute and the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.
