COURSES TAUGHT

BMS 202 - Anatomy Physiology Laboratory
BMS 290 - Human Physiology
BMS 291 - Human Physiology Laboratory
BMS 495 - Concepts in Wellness (Cardiovascular Disease)
BMS 508 - Advanced Human Physiology

EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Arizona
Postdoctoral Fellow - John B. Pierce Laboratory/Yale University
Ph.D. - Pennsylvania State University
M.S. - University of Oklahoma

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research is generally focused on studying of the impact of stressful, potentially pathological, conditions on blood vessel function.  That work can involve studies of cells collected from vessels (cultured smooth muscle or endothelial cells) or of isolated blood vessels.  Examples of conditions that students have addressed in my lab include: fatty acid exposure (omega 3 vs 6 and cis vs trans), contents of cell culture growth media (growth factor and glucose) and an acidic environment.  As relative expression of vascular connexin (Cx) proteins reflects the healthiness of a vessel, I have used these proteins as markers of vascular cell responses to these conditions.  In endothelial cells, increases in Cx43 expression reflect a reduction in the healthiness of a vessel whereas increases in Cx37 would occur in healthier vessels.  At the cellular level, these Cxs play a role in regulation of cellular growth and apoptosis (which is why they indicate health, by affecting the balance between these pathways). I also work with blood vessels evaluating the role of changes in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase vs MLC kinase activity in the control of resistance vessel dilation to an acidic environment.  While decreasing kinase activity has been presumed to dominate, the role of the phosphatase in regulating vessel relaxation remains to be resolved.

In addition to the specific areas above, my broad training in exercise and comparative physiology has provided me with the background to address many other questions.  I would be happy to talk with a student about research questions that they might be interested in addressing.  I have mentored many student projects for the honors college.