Dr. Alexis Cowan, PhD

Also published as: Dr. Alexis Jazmyn Cowan, PhD

Scientific Advisory Board Member & Peer Reviewer — Mito Red Light

Credentials & Institutional Affiliations

  • PhD, Molecular Biology — Princeton University (Rabinowitz Laboratory for Metabolism and Cancer Research)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher — University of Pennsylvania, Department of Light Biology
  • Research Specializations: Photobiomodulation (PBM), mitochondrial function, circadian biology, metabolic physiology, central carbon metabolism, ketogenic diet research

About Dr. Cowan

Dr. Alexis Cowan holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, where she trained under Dr. Joshua Rabinowitz — one of the world's foremost researchers in metabolic biochemistry. Her doctoral research focused on the quantitative characterization of circulating nutrient metabolism and the pharmacokinetic distribution of major metabolites across tissues, with specific study of how divergent dietary inputs (including ketogenic diets) alter metabolic physiology at a systems level.

Following her PhD, Dr. Cowan completed postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania with a primary focus on light biology — specifically how red and near-infrared light interact with mitochondrial function, circadian rhythms, and cellular energy systems. This work sits at the direct intersection of photobiomodulation science and the mitochondrial biology she studied at Princeton.

Dr. Cowan's published research has been cited over 2,300 times and is indexed in PubMed and PubMed Central. She is currently an active researcher, educator, and science communicator, hosting the Undoctrinate Yourself podcast and appearing on programs including the Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, where she discusses the evidence base for light therapy, circadian biology, and metabolic health.

As a Scientific Advisory Board member at Mito Red Light, Dr. Cowan reviews clinical evidence content for scientific accuracy, evaluates the photobiomodulation research base, and contributes original educational content at the intersection of mitochondrial medicine and light therapy.

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Jang C, Hui S, Zeng X, Cowan A, et al. Metabolite Exchange between Mammalian Organs Quantified in Pigs. Cell Metabolism. 2022;34(9):1410. PMCID: PMC9514224. PubMed
  • Hui S, Cowan A, Zeng X, et al. Quantitative Fluxomics of Circulating Metabolites. Cell Metabolism. 2020. PubMed
  • Ghergurovich J, Lang J, ..., Cowan A, et al. Local production of lactate, ribose phosphate, and amino acids within human triple-negative breast cancer. Med. 2021;2(6):736–754. PMCID: PMC8248508. PubMed
  • Wang W, Ishibashi J, ..., Cowan A, et al. A PRDM16-Driven Metabolic Signal from Adipocytes Regulates Precursor Cell Fate. Cell Metabolism. 2019;30(1):174–189. PMCID: PMC6836679. PubMed

View full publication list on ResearchGate →

Princeton University publication record →

Mito Red Light Content Reviewed by Dr. Cowan

The following pages have been scientifically reviewed by Dr. Alexis Cowan, PhD for accuracy of photobiomodulation mechanisms, clinical evidence interpretation, and dosing parameters:

External Profiles & Media