FACULTY
FACULTY
FACULTY
FACULTY
FACULTY
Integrated Physiology faculty are associated with multiple departments, representing diverse research interests and scientific approaches, but sharing common interests in understanding how complex physiological systems are regulated. In addition, the faculty all share a deep commitment to quality graduate education and are actively engaged in mentoring and supporting students as they progress toward their PhD.
Faculty research fall into one of more of the research tracks below:
| Faculty Member | Research Track | Research Description and Contact | Accepting Students? |
| Bates, Emily | Cell-Phys | We use genetics to determine the molecular mechanisms of pediatric disorders. Research in our lab has identified the mechanism by which mutations that disrupt an ion channel lead to cleft palate, a likely target for alcohol that causes Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome, and a mechanism by which mutations in a tubulin gene disrupt brain development. Bates Lab Website | Contact Dr. Bates | Maybe |
| Benninger, Richard | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The Benninger lab is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists who are guided by engineering principles and technologies to study the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans). With mechanistic knowledge underlying the dynamics of islet function
and hormone release, we can develop diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to effectively manage, cure and prevent diabetes. Towards this goal the lab combines novel optical imaging and ultrasound imaging approaches to study the function
of the islets of Langerhans over multiple levels of organization, and how function is disrupted in diabetes. Benninger Lab Website | Contact Dr. Benninger | Yes |
| Bergman, Bryan | Nutr/Metab | Intermuscular adipose tissue, myosteatosis, lipidomics, triglyceride, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance. Bryan Bergman Research Profile | Contact Dr. Bergman | No |
| Boyle, Kristen | Nutr/Metab | My research focuses on clinical interventions combined with mechanistic investigations by using primary human cell culture models. Most recently, we have developed a model for investigating human intrauterine phenotype development using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Steven Abman Research Profile | Contact Dr. Boyle | No |
| Bradford, Andy | Repro; Nutr/Metab | My research interests focus on hormone/growth factor signaling and cancer. Specifically, our laboratory is studying the role of selective protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in the modulation of cell growth and death in endometrial cancer. Andrew Bradford Research Profile | Contact Dr. Bradford | No |
| Catenacci, Victoria | Nutr/Metab | Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes Vicki Catenacci Research Profile | Contact Dr. Catenacci | No |
| Colgan, Sean | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Colgan Lab studies mucosal inflammation with focus on intestinal inflammation in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and other GI diseases. Studies are aimed at understanding how epithelial and endothelial cells coordinate barrier function and inflammatory responses at mucosal surfaces. Colgan Lab Website | Contact Dr. Colgan | No |
| D’Alessandro, Angelo | Nutr/Metab | By focusing on cancer metabolism and (red) blood cell biology, we are increasingly appreciating shared molecular mechanisms driving systemic responses to trauma/ hemorrhagic shock, I/R injury, sickle cell disease, ageing and inflammation, mammalian hibernation and pulmonary hypertension. | Yes |
| Felsen, Gidon | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | My lab is interested in how the nervous system makes and acts upon decisions. We use electrophysiological, behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, and computational methods to study how sensory representations are transformed into plans for motor output. We are interested in how these processes occur in the normal brain, as well as how they are affected by pathological conditions. Gidon Felson Research Profile | Contact Dr. Felsen | Yes |
| Garcia, Anastacia | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The overall focus of the Garcia Lab is to better understand the unique adaptations governing pathological cardiac remodeling, exercise intolerance, and the progression to heart failure in pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome and other single ventricle defects. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop the critical knowledge base and infrastructure necessary to identify efficacious therapies for improving outcomes in this vulnerable group. The lab utilizes several unique tools to address the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction including whole animal and cell culture-based models, as well as access to a meticulously preserved Pediatric Tissue and Blood Bank here at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. | Yes |
| Nozik (Grayck), Eva | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Pediatrics-Critical Care Medicine Eva Nozik Research Profile | Contact Dr. Nozik | Maybe |
| Green, Melanie | Nutr/Metab | Metabolism in PCOS Melanie Green Research Profile | Contact Dr. Green | Yes |
| Hurt, K.Joseph | Repro | The goal of the Preterm Labor Research Laboratory (Hurt Lab) is to understand reproductive physiology and apply those findings to improve the health of women and infants. Hurt Lab Website | Contact Dr. Hurt | Yes |
| Johnson, Joshua | Repro | The Johnson Lab has a long-standing interest in the ovaries of different organisms, from flies to humans. Ovarian function can be summarized in two parts. First, ovaries produce the female gametes, eggs, that are required to produce the next generation. Second, ovaries support the health and well-being of the female, and there are often consequences when their function ceases (e.g., human menopause). We seek to understand how and why egg number changes over time, and how we can support the production of high-quality eggs capable of developing into healthy children. Johnson Lab Website | Contact Dr. Johnson | Yes |
| Julian, Colleen | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Julian's research focuses primarily on the mechanisms underlying human adaptation to the chronic hypoxia of high altitude and, in particular, how these processes influence pregnancy outcome and the long-term health of affected offspring. Colleen Julian Research Profile | Contact Dr. Julian | Yes |
| Klemm, Dwight J | Nutr/Metab; Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Adipocyte biology Dwight Klemm Research Profile | Contact Dr. Klemm | No |
| Klug, Achim | Cell-Phys | Our laboratory aims to understand the normal functioning of the healthy sound localization pathway, and moreover understand how exactly this pathway is altered in central hearing loss and autism. The ultimate goal is to help the development of treatments for these conditions. Klug Lab Website | Contact Dr. Klug | Yes |
| Kumar, Raj | Repro | The Kumar Laboratory investigates all aspects of gonadotropin biology, including gonadotrope development and tumorigenesis, mechanisms of pituitary gonadotropin subunit gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, gonadotropin biosynthesis with a focus on age-dependent glycosylation, gonadotropin secretion and action with one focus on somatic cell development and regulation in the gonads and the other on osteoclasts in the bone. We use a variety of mouse genetics and high throughput genome-wide approaches. These translational studies have significant impact in understanding the physiology and pathology of the reproductive axis including abnormal reproductive tract development, infertility, ovarian aging, bone loss and cancer of the pituitary and gonads. Kuma Lab Website | Contact Dr. Kumar | Yes |
| Lau, Edward | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our laboratory uses genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand basic cellular processes in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models. Lau Lab Website | Contact Dr. Lau | Yes |
| MacLean, Paul | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Dr. MacLean’s research is focused on obesity, its metabolic consequences, and therapeutic strategies that can lead to long term weight reduction. MacLean Lab Website | Contact Dr. MacLean | Yes |
| Majka, Susan U | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our lab studies how mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) regulate lung microvascular function and dysregulated angiogenesis as well as how these processes contribute to the development or severity of chronic lung diseases (including fibrosis, emphysema as well as pulmonary hypertension). Majka Lab Website | Contact Dr. Majka | Yes |
| Melanson, Edward | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | My research is focused on studying biological mechanisms that influence energy balance and thus the propensity towards weight gain and obesity. Melanson Lab Website | Contact Dr. Melanson | No |
| Miyazaki, Makoto | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Research in the laboratory focuses on the study of molecular mechanism underlying vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is recognized as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Miyazaki Lab Website | Contact Dr. Miyazaki | No |
| Monks, Jenifer | Repro | Contact Dr. Monks | Maybe |
| Moreau, Kerrie | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The effect of hormones on the ability of blood vessels to respond to exercise. Kerrie Moreau Research Profile | Contact Dr. Moreau | Yes |
| Nadeau, Kristen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI; Nutr/Metab | Contact Dr. Nadeau | Maybe |
| Nowak, Kristen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | I perform clinical and translational research focusing on lifestyle interventions, including dietary, to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression in patients with kidney diseases including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). I also conduct research on the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in kidney diseases, as well as on novel therapeutics to alleviate such dysfunction. Kristen Nowak Research Profile | Contact Dr. Nowak | Yes |
| Proenza, Catherine | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | We are interested in the cellular and molecular machinery responsible for cardiac pacemaking and its regulation by the autonomic nervous system. Catherine Proenza Research Profile | Contact Dr. Proenza | Yes |
| Regensteiner, Judith | Nutr/Metab | Dr. Regensteiner’s research expertise is in the cardiovascular effects of diabetes with a specific focus on women with type 2 diabetes since they appear to have more significant abnormalities than men with diabetes. Her lab has been funded for over 20 years and she has authored more than 150 research publications. She is also known for her research on peripheral arterial disease. Judith Regensteiner Research Profile | Contact Dr. Regensteiner | Yes |
| Restrepo, Diego | Cell-Phys | Contact Dr. Restrepo | Yes |
Reusch, Jane | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The scientific focus of our research explores how the abnormal metabolic state of type 2 diabetes could alter the cell or target organ adaptation leading to misinterpretation of hormone signals. Specifically, the efforts focus on the homeostatic importance of the transcription factor CREB, a cyclic AMP (cAMP) binding protein and mitochondrial turnover in cardiovascular disease. Reusch Lab Website | Contact Dr. Reusch | Yes |
| Rozance, Paul J | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Rozance’s research is focused on the question of why growth restricted fetuses have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes as adults. Paul Rozance Research Profile | Contact Dr. Rozance | Yes |
| Sandoval, Darleen | Nutr/Metab | I am an integrated physiologist, and my research focuses on advancing our understanding of the role of the gut-brain-axis in regulation of metabolism and revolves around two general themes. One is focused on understanding the role of a gut peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), on glucose homeostasis and how dysregulation of GLP-1 is involved with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The second focuses on the adaptations of the gut-brain axis with bariatric surgery and how this contributes to the profound weight-loss and improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis seen with these surgeries. To do this, we utilize in vivo physiology experimental tools in genetic mouse models. | Yes |
| Santoro, Stephen | Cell-Phys | Contact Dr. Santoro | Yes |
| Shankar, Kartik | Nutr/Metab | The Shankar Maternal-Child Nutrition Lab conducts research leading to fundamental understanding of the role of maternal and early nutrition in development of obesity, metabolic disease and associated co-morbidities. Kartik Shankar Research Profile | Contact Dr. Shankar | No |
| Stauffer, Brian | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Stauffer laboratory is interested in understanding gender and age-related differences in cardiovascular disease. The laboratory currently focuses on 3 broad areas; myocardial gap junction communication, heart failure and endothelial cell function. Stauffer Lab Website | Contact Dr. Stauffer | Yes |
| Sucharov, Carmen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our main goal is to identify potential new therapeutic agents for the treatment of heart failure. Carmen Sucharov Research Profile Contact Dr. Sucharov | Yes |
| Theiss, Arianne | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The overall goal of the Theiss Lab is to elucidate the role and mechanism whereby mitochondrial signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells contribute to innate immunity and protect against gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal tumorigenesis. | Maybe |
| Walker, Lori | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The goal of research in our group is to elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying heart disease. We have two major projects in the lab. The first, a collaborative project with Dr. Peter Buttrick, is focused on cardiomyocyte plasticity and the second focuses on the cardiovascular risks and benefits of cannabinoids. Walker Lab Website | Contact Dr. Walker | No |
| Weiser-Evans, Mary | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Weiser-Evans Lab focuses on research in vascular biology with an emphasis on the role of the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) in regulating vessel homeostasis, pathological vascular remodeling, and fibrotic changes reducing vascular compliance. Mary Weiser-Evans Lab Website | Contact Dr. Weiser-Evans | Yes |
| Weslowski, Stephanie | Nutr/Metab | Dr. Wesolowski’s primary research is aimed to understand the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) using integrative approaches in physiology and metabolism combined with novel molecular techniques in cell biology, epigenetics, and metabolomics. Stephanie Wesolowski Research Profile | Contact Dr. Wesolowski | Yes |
| Woulfe, Kathleen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Contact Dr. Woulfe | Yes |
Cardiovascular/Pulmonary/Renal/GI Physiology research seeks to uncover mechanisms, and integrating principals, regulating fundamental cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and GI systems. Investigators in this track pursue mechanistic research related to how hormones, metabolism, ion channel properties, exercise, and diseases, regulate, or disrupt, multiple physiological systems.
Research projects in this track focus on serious human health problems related to cardiac function, pulmonary disorders, renal abnormalities, endothelial biology, obesity, and diabetes. These projects employs cutting-edge molecular biology, imaging, genomics, ion channel and modeling approaches in cellular, organ, and higher-order experimental systems. Students in this track will have opportunities to integrate many of these experimental approaches in the pursuit of understanding cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and GI systems biology.
| Faculty Member | Research Track | Research Description and Contact | Accepting Students? |
| Colgan, Sean | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Colgan Lab studies mucosal inflammation with focus on intestinal inflammation in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and other GI diseases. Studies are aimed at understanding how epithelial and endothelial cells coordinate barrier function and inflammatory responses at mucosal surfaces. Colgan Lab Website | Contact Dr. Colgan | No |
| Garcia, Anastacia | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The overall focus of the Garcia Lab is to better understand the unique adaptations governing pathological cardiac remodeling, exercise intolerance, and the progression to heart failure in pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome and other single ventricle defects. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop the critical knowledge base and infrastructure necessary to identify efficacious therapies for improving outcomes in this vulnerable group. The lab utilizes several unique tools to address the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction including whole animal and cell culture-based models, as well as access to a meticulously preserved Pediatric Tissue and Blood Bank here at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. | Yes |
| Nozik (Grayck), Eva | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Pediatrics-Critical Care Medicine Eva Nozik Research Profile | Contact Dr. Nozik | Maybe |
| Klemm, Dwight J | Nutr/Metab; Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Adipocyte biology Dwight Klemm Research Profile | Contact Dr. Klemm | No |
| Lau, Edward | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our laboratory uses genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand basic cellular processes in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models. Lau Lab Website | Contact Dr. Lau | Yes |
| MacLean, Paul | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Dr. MacLean’s research is focused on obesity, its metabolic consequences, and therapeutic strategies that can lead to long term weight reduction. MacLean Lab Website | Contact Dr. MacLean | Yes |
| Majka, Susan U | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our lab studies how mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) regulate lung microvascular function and dysregulated angiogenesis as well as how these processes contribute to the development or severity of chronic lung diseases (including fibrosis, emphysema as well as pulmonary hypertension). Majka Lab Website | Contact Dr. Majka | Yes |
| Melanson, Edward | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | My research is focused on studying biological mechanisms that influence energy balance and thus the propensity towards weight gain and obesity. Melanson Lab Website | Contact Dr. Melanson | No |
| Miyazaki, Makoto | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Research in the laboratory focuses on the study of molecular mechanism underlying vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is recognized as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Miyazaki Lab Website | Contact Dr. Miyazaki | No |
| Moreau, Kerrie | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The effect of hormones on the ability of blood vessels to respond to exercise. Kerrie Moreau Research Profile | Contact Dr. Moreau | Yes |
| Nadeau, Kristen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI; Nutr/Metab | Contact Dr. Nadeau | Maybe |
| Nowak, Kristen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | I perform clinical and translational research focusing on lifestyle interventions, including dietary, to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression in patients with kidney diseases including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). I also conduct research on the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in kidney diseases, as well as on novel therapeutics to alleviate such dysfunction. Kristen Nowak Research Profile | Contact Dr. Nowak | Yes |
| Proenza, Catherine | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | We are interested in the cellular and molecular machinery responsible for cardiac pacemaking and its regulation by the autonomic nervous system. Catherine Proenza Research Profile | Contact Dr. Proenza | Yes |
| Stauffer, Brian | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Stauffer laboratory is interested in understanding gender and age-related differences in cardiovascular disease. The laboratory currently focuses on 3 broad areas; myocardial gap junction communication, heart failure and endothelial cell function. Stauffer Lab Website | Contact Dr. Stauffer | Yes |
| Sucharov, Carmen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Our main goal is to identify potential new therapeutic agents for the treatment of heart failure. Carmen Sucharov Research Profile Contact Dr. Sucharov | Yes |
| Theiss, Arianne | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The overall goal of the Theiss Lab is to elucidate the role and mechanism whereby mitochondrial signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells contribute to innate immunity and protect against gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colorectal tumorigenesis. | Maybe |
| Walker, Lori | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The goal of research in our group is to elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying heart disease. We have two major projects in the lab. The first, a collaborative project with Dr. Peter Buttrick, is focused on cardiomyocyte plasticity and the second focuses on the cardiovascular risks and benefits of cannabinoids. Walker Lab Website | Contact Dr. Walker | No |
| Weiser-Evans, Mary | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | The Weiser-Evans Lab focuses on research in vascular biology with an emphasis on the role of the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) in regulating vessel homeostasis, pathological vascular remodeling, and fibrotic changes reducing vascular compliance. Mary Weiser-Evans Lab Website | Contact Dr. Weiser-Evans | Yes |
| Woulfe, Kathleen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Contact Dr. Woulfe | Yes |
Training in Cellular Physiology prepares graduate PhD students for independent careers in biomedical research through grounding in the fundamental principles of physiology and biophysics, and their application to important problems of cellular systems
regulation. Students in the Cellular Physiology track have a broad array of research projects from which to choose, and access to an equally broad assortment of cutting edge techniques and instrumentation for their projects, including advanced
electrophysiology, high-resolution imaging, and novel biochemical (including photochemical) tools.
Research projects in Cellular Physiology cover problems such as recycling of synaptic vesicles, transduction and modulation of signals in the olfactory bulb, mechanisms of sound localization in mammals, the role of glia and spontaneous secretion of transmitter in the brain, characterization of sodium channel isoforms in excitable cells, regulation of potassium channel expression during development, excitation-contraction coupling, molecular physiology of cardiac pacemaking, processing of sound information in the auditory brainstem, neurophysiology of making decision and initiating actions, and neurophysiology of the cerebellum.
| Faculty Member | Research Track | Research Description and Contact | Accepting Students? |
| Bates, Emily | Cell-Phys | We use genetics to determine the molecular mechanisms of pediatric disorders. Research in our lab has identified the mechanism by which mutations that disrupt an ion channel lead to cleft palate, a likely target for alcohol that causes Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome, and a mechanism by which mutations in a tubulin gene disrupt brain development. Bates Lab Website | Contact Dr. Bates | Maybe |
| Benninger, Richard | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The Benninger lab is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists who are guided by engineering principles and technologies to study the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans). With mechanistic knowledge underlying the dynamics of islet function
and hormone release, we can develop diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to effectively manage, cure and prevent diabetes. Towards this goal the lab combines novel optical imaging and ultrasound imaging approaches to study the function
of the islets of Langerhans over multiple levels of organization, and how function is disrupted in diabetes. Benninger Lab Website | Contact Dr. Benninger | Yes |
| Felsen, Gidon | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | My lab is interested in how the nervous system makes and acts upon decisions. We use electrophysiological, behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, and computational methods to study how sensory representations are transformed into plans for motor output. We are interested in how these processes occur in the normal brain, as well as how they are affected by pathological conditions. Gidon Felson Research Profile | Contact Dr. Felsen | Yes |
| Julian, Colleen | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Julian's research focuses primarily on the mechanisms underlying human adaptation to the chronic hypoxia of high altitude and, in particular, how these processes influence pregnancy outcome and the long-term health of affected offspring. Colleen Julian Research Profile | Contact Dr. Julian | Yes |
| Klug, Achim | Cell-Phys | Our laboratory aims to understand the normal functioning of the healthy sound localization pathway, and moreover understand how exactly this pathway is altered in central hearing loss and autism. The ultimate goal is to help the development of treatments for these conditions. Klug Lab Website | Contact Dr. Klug | Yes |
| Restrepo, Diego | Cell-Phys | Contact Dr. Restrepo | Yes |
Reusch, Jane | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The scientific focus of our research explores how the abnormal metabolic state of type 2 diabetes could alter the cell or target organ adaptation leading to misinterpretation of hormone signals. Specifically, the efforts focus on the homeostatic importance of the transcription factor CREB, a cyclic AMP (cAMP) binding protein and mitochondrial turnover in cardiovascular disease. Reusch Lab Website | Contact Dr. Reusch | Yes |
| Rozance, Paul J | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Rozance’s research is focused on the question of why growth restricted fetuses have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes as adults. Paul Rozance Research Profile | Contact Dr. Rozance | Yes |
| Santoro, Stephen | Cell-Phys | Contact Dr. Santoro | Yes |
Research in molecular nutrition and metabolic systems underpins advances in many areas of medicine and physiology, and is essential for understanding complex diseases and disorders of human biology, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Students in the Molecular Nutrition and Metabolic Systems (MNMS) track have opportunities to investigate how nutrients are metabolized by cells, organs and higher systems, and how defects in metabolic systems contribute to human disease.
Research projects in the MNMS track employ state of the art techniques in metabolism, cell and molecular biology, imaging, genomics and proteomics that provide students with capabilities of generating sophisticated mechanistic insight into metabolic disorders and disease processes. Students that successfully complete MNMS training and research programs are prepared for independent careers in biomedical research in academic, industry and government laboratories.
| Faculty Member | Research Track | Research Description and Contact | Accepting Students? |
| Benninger, Richard | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The Benninger lab is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists who are guided by engineering principles and technologies to study the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans). With mechanistic knowledge underlying the dynamics of islet function
and hormone release, we can develop diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to effectively manage, cure and prevent diabetes. Towards this goal the lab combines novel optical imaging and ultrasound imaging approaches to study the function
of the islets of Langerhans over multiple levels of organization, and how function is disrupted in diabetes. Benninger Lab Website | Contact Dr. Benninger | Yes |
| Bergman, Bryan | Nutr/Metab | Intermuscular adipose tissue, myosteatosis, lipidomics, triglyceride, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance. Bryan Bergman Research Profile | Contact Dr. Bergman | No |
| Boyle, Kristen | Nutr/Metab | My research focuses on clinical interventions combined with mechanistic investigations by using primary human cell culture models. Most recently, we have developed a model for investigating human intrauterine phenotype development using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Steven Abman Research Profile | Contact Dr. Boyle | No |
| Bradford, Andy | Repro; Nutr/Metab | My research interests focus on hormone/growth factor signaling and cancer. Specifically, our laboratory is studying the role of selective protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in the modulation of cell growth and death in endometrial cancer. Andrew Bradford Research Profile | Contact Dr. Bradford | No |
| Catenacci, Victoria | Nutr/Metab | Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes Vicki Catenacci Research Profile | Contact Dr. Catenacci | No |
| D’Alessandro, Angelo | Nutr/Metab | By focusing on cancer metabolism and (red) blood cell biology, we are increasingly appreciating shared molecular mechanisms driving systemic responses to trauma/ hemorrhagic shock, I/R injury, sickle cell disease, ageing and inflammation, mammalian hibernation and pulmonary hypertension. | Yes |
| Felsen, Gidon | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | My lab is interested in how the nervous system makes and acts upon decisions. We use electrophysiological, behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, and computational methods to study how sensory representations are transformed into plans for motor output. We are interested in how these processes occur in the normal brain, as well as how they are affected by pathological conditions. Gidon Felson Research Profile | Contact Dr. Felsen | Yes |
| Green, Melanie | Nutr/Metab | Metabolism in PCOS Melanie Green Research Profile | Contact Dr. Green | Yes |
| Julian, Colleen | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Julian's research focuses primarily on the mechanisms underlying human adaptation to the chronic hypoxia of high altitude and, in particular, how these processes influence pregnancy outcome and the long-term health of affected offspring. Colleen Julian Research Profile | Contact Dr. Julian | Yes |
| Klemm, Dwight J | Nutr/Metab; Card/Pulm/Renal/GI | Adipocyte biology Dwight Klemm Research Profile | Contact Dr. Klemm | No |
| Nadeau, Kristen | Card/Pulm/Renal/GI; Nutr/Metab | Contact Dr. Nadeau | Maybe |
| Regensteiner, Judith | Nutr/Metab | Dr. Regensteiner’s research expertise is in the cardiovascular effects of diabetes with a specific focus on women with type 2 diabetes since they appear to have more significant abnormalities than men with diabetes. Her lab has been funded for over 20 years and she has authored more than 150 research publications. She is also known for her research on peripheral arterial disease. Judith Regensteiner Research Profile | Contact Dr. Regensteiner | Yes |
Reusch, Jane | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | The scientific focus of our research explores how the abnormal metabolic state of type 2 diabetes could alter the cell or target organ adaptation leading to misinterpretation of hormone signals. Specifically, the efforts focus on the homeostatic importance of the transcription factor CREB, a cyclic AMP (cAMP) binding protein and mitochondrial turnover in cardiovascular disease. Reusch Lab Website | Contact Dr. Reusch | Yes |
| Rozance, Paul J | Cell-Phys; Nutr/Metab | Dr. Rozance’s research is focused on the question of why growth restricted fetuses have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes as adults. Paul Rozance Research Profile | Contact Dr. Rozance | Yes |
| Sandoval, Darleen | Nutr/Metab | I am an integrated physiologist, and my research focuses on advancing our understanding of the role of the gut-brain-axis in regulation of metabolism and revolves around two general themes. One is focused on understanding the role of a gut peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), on glucose homeostasis and how dysregulation of GLP-1 is involved with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The second focuses on the adaptations of the gut-brain axis with bariatric surgery and how this contributes to the profound weight-loss and improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis seen with these surgeries. To do this, we utilize in vivo physiology experimental tools in genetic mouse models. | Yes |
| Shankar, Kartik | Nutr/Metab | The Shankar Maternal-Child Nutrition Lab conducts research leading to fundamental understanding of the role of maternal and early nutrition in development of obesity, metabolic disease and associated co-morbidities. Kartik Shankar Research Profile | Contact Dr. Shankar | No |
| Weslowski, Stephanie | Nutr/Metab | Dr. Wesolowski’s primary research is aimed to understand the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) using integrative approaches in physiology and metabolism combined with novel molecular techniques in cell biology, epigenetics, and metabolomics. Stephanie Wesolowski Research Profile | Contact Dr. Wesolowski | Yes |
Reproductive Biology was founded in 2004 as an interdepartmental Graduate Program. The basic science and clinical faculty are drawn from 10 different Departments and Divisions, allowing students to take an integrated, translational, multidisiplinary approach
to the study of reproductive biology and pathophysiology.
Students in the Reproductive Biology Track have opportunities to investigate research areas including:
- Signal transduction and transcriptional regulation
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Neuroendocrinology
- Breast, Ovarian and Uterine cancers
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Complications of Pregnancy
- Development and function of the reproductive system
- Mammary gland development and lactation
- Placental development and function
- Obesity and fetal developmental programming
| Faculty Member | Research Track | Research Description and Contact | Accepting Students? |
| Bradford, Andy | Repro; Nutr/Metab | My research interests focus on hormone/growth factor signaling and cancer. Specifically, our laboratory is studying the role of selective protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in the modulation of cell growth and death in endometrial cancer. Andrew Bradford Research Profile | Contact Dr. Bradford | No |
| Hurt, K.Joseph | Repro | The goal of the Preterm Labor Research Laboratory (Hurt Lab) is to understand reproductive physiology and apply those findings to improve the health of women and infants. Hurt Lab Website | Contact Dr. Hurt | Yes |
| Johnson, Joshua | Repro | The Johnson Lab has a long-standing interest in the ovaries of different organisms, from flies to humans. Ovarian function can be summarized in two parts. First, ovaries produce the female gametes, eggs, that are required to produce the next generation. Second, ovaries support the health and well-being of the female, and there are often consequences when their function ceases (e.g., human menopause). We seek to understand how and why egg number changes over time, and how we can support the production of high-quality eggs capable of developing into healthy children. Johnson Lab Website | Contact Dr. Johnson | Yes |
| Kumar, Raj | Repro | The Kumar Laboratory investigates all aspects of gonadotropin biology, including gonadotrope development and tumorigenesis, mechanisms of pituitary gonadotropin subunit gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, gonadotropin biosynthesis with a focus on age-dependent glycosylation, gonadotropin secretion and action with one focus on somatic cell development and regulation in the gonads and the other on osteoclasts in the bone. We use a variety of mouse genetics and high throughput genome-wide approaches. These translational studies have significant impact in understanding the physiology and pathology of the reproductive axis including abnormal reproductive tract development, infertility, ovarian aging, bone loss and cancer of the pituitary and gonads. Kuma Lab Website | Contact Dr. Kumar | Yes |
| Monks, Jenifer | Repro | Contact Dr. Monks | Maybe |
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