Filip Hanak

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Undergraduate Institution and Major:

University of Arizona, B.S. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, 2021

Graduate Advisor

Patrick Rothwell, Ph.D., Department of Neuroscience

Graduate Research:

I study how the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) regulates opioid peptide signaling in the brain, and work on preclinical development of ACE inhibitors for psychiatric disorders like addiction. I use mass spectrometry to study peptide signaling, biochemical assays to conduct high throughput screens for new ACE inhibitors, and computational modeling to conduct virtual screens and model binding of compounds to ACE.

Graduate Publications

• Bhilare, KD, Dobariya P, Hanak F, Rothwell PE, More SS. Current understanding of the link between angiotensin-converting enzyme and pain perception. Drug Discovery Today, vol. 29, no. 9, Sept. 2024, p. 104089. Singh R, Jiang R, Williams J, Dobariya P, Hanak F, Xie J, Rothwell PE, Vince R, More SS. Modulation of endogenous opioid signaling by inhibitors of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 275, Sept. 2024, p. 116604

Graduate Presentations

Hanak, F., Bernstein, K.E., More S.S., Rothwell, P.E. The Role of the N-terminal Domain of the Angiotensin-converting Enzyme in the Degradation of Met-Enkephalin-Arg-Phe in the Brain [Abstract]. In: 2024 Society for Neuroscience. 

Hanak, F. N-domain Inhibition of the Angiotensin-converting Enzyme is Sufficient to Elevate Concentrations of Met-Enkephalin-Arg-Phe in Brain Tissue [Invited oral presentation]. In: 2024 Angiotensin Gordon Research Conference. 

Hanak, F. Developing Novel ACE Inhibitors for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders [Invited oral presentation]. In: 2024 Angiotensin Gordon Research Seminar. 

Hanak, F., Bernstein, K.E., More S.S., Rothwell, P.E. N-domain Inhibition of the Angiotensin-converting Enzyme is Sufficient to Elevate Concentrations of Met-Enkephalin-Arg-Phe in Brain Tissue [abstract]. In: 2024 Angiotensin Gordon Research Seminar. 

Hanak, F. Developing Novel ACE Inhibitors for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. Graduate Program in Neuroscience Colloquium Series. February 21, 2024. 

Hanak, F. Bernstein, K.E., Rothwell, P.E. Domain-specific Regulation of Opioid Peptide Signaling by the Angiotensin-converting Enzyme [abstract]. In: Institute for Translational Neuroscience / MnDRIVE Retreat 2024. 

Joseph, A., Hanak, F., Selimovic, A., Sood, A., Richard, J.M.: Impact of Alcohol Vapor Exposure on Neuronal Responses to Alcohol Cues [abstract]. In: Society for Neuroscience – Neuroscience 2022.

Graduate Awards/Honors

MnDRIVE Neuromodulation Research Fellowship 2024-2025 
Alfred and Alice Stark Award 2024 
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship 2023-2024

Thesis Committee

Sade Spencer, PhD, Department of Pharmacology (Chair) 
Patrick Rothwell, PhD, Department of Neuroscience (Advisor) 
Swati More, PhD, Center for Drug Design 
Lauren Slosky, PhD, Department of Pharmacology

Rotations

Stephanie Groman, PhD, Department of Neuroscience 
Jocelyn Richard, PhD, Department of Neuroscience 
Kevin Wickman, PhD, Department of Pharmacology 
Patrick Rothwell, PhD, Department of Neuroscience

Undergraduate Publications

• Duron, DI, Hanak, F, Streicher, JM. Daily intermittent fasting in mice enhances morphine-induced anti-nociception while mitigating reward, tolerance, and constipation, PAIN: May 08, 2020.

Why did you choose Minnesota?

I chose the GPN because of its status as a leader in the neuroscience of addiction. When I was applying to graduate school, I was interested in the intersection of the neuroscience and pharmacology of addiction, so this program was a natural fit. My lab, collaborators and mentors are an interdisciplinary team of scientists who guide me with a diversity of perspectives, which is another aspect of the program that I was drawn to.