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Faculty List

(Alphabetical order- Last name)

 

Robert C. Alaniz, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Email: alaniz@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Mucosal and Infectious Disease Immunology, Vaccine Development
Dr. Alaniz's research progarm focuses on T-cell responses to bacterial pathogens and development of protective immunity. This work studies host and microbial factors that influence the develpment of memory CD4+T-cells. In addition, Dr. Alaniz is developing a novel vaccine platform based on nanoparticles derived from bacterial outer membranes, termed membrane vesicles. Translational projects under this theme are geared towards diarrheal pathogens and bioterror agents.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/robert-alaniz.html

 

Gianfranco Alpini, Ph.D.

Professor
E-mail: galpini@tamu.edu; galpini@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Liver Disease
My research program evaluates the role of hormones (including gastric hormones, neuroendocrine and sex hormones) on the role of cholestatic liver injury that is likened to that seen in patients with chronic inflammatory liver diesase like primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Liver disease is a major contributor to mortality among Americans and worldwide. Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts and are responsible for the modification of ductal bile. These cells are the target cells of both PBC and PSC. We investigate the role that numerous hormones have on cholangiocyte regulation during disease initiation and progression. We use diverse models to evaluate these effects and state of the art techniques.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/sbtm/faculty/gianfranco-alpini.html

 

Helene Andrews-Polymenis, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
E-mail: handrews@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: My group studies Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, a common cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans and other warm blooded vertebrates, for its ability to cause disease in the host. We utilize a combination of molecular biology, genetics and genomics in our studies. We are most interested in the mechanisms used by this organism to survive and persist in the intestinal tract of the host animal.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/helene-andrews.html

 

Kenneth M. Baker, M.D.

Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Director, Division of Molecular Cardiology, Mayborn Chair in Cardiovascular Research, COM
E-mail: kbaker@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Cardiac Function/Molecular Signaling
Our research focuses on understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that regulate cardiac cell growth. A significant amount of our work focuses on the renin-angiotenin system and its direct involvement in mediating cell growth in the heart. Additionally, we have characterized an intracardiac renin-angiotensin system and have deomonstrated significant modulation of the precursor genes of the system in a number of pathological conditions. More recently we have focused on negative input pathways regulating cardiac cellular growth, more specifically the role of retinoic acid in modulating cardiac function. Part of this work has been the identification of themolecular signaling events that are related to retinoic acid mediated inhibition of cardiac growth and the pathways by which retinoic acid modulates the precursor genes of the renin-angiotensin system in the heart. the overall goals are to better understand the molecular signaling pathways and gene regulatory events, that modulate cardiac cellular growth and how these mechanisms may contribute to the development of interventions to modulate cardiac hypertrophy.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/moleular-cardiology/faculty-staff/kenneth-baker.html

Sarah E. Bondos, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
E-mail: sebondos@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Hox Transcription Factors as Master Regulators and Biomaterials.
Animal development requires individual Hox proteins to sense the cellular context and implement one of many possible gene regulatory cascades. The Bondos lab is discovering how Hox transcription factors respond to conformational changes, tissue-specific alternative splicing, protein interactions and cell signaling cascades using a combination of biophysical, cell biological, and genetic approaches. We have also developed methods to control aggregation of the Drosophila Hox protein Ultrabithorax to generate novel biomaterials. We are characterizing the structure and mechanical properties of these biomaterials, and integrating novel functions via nanoparticles and heterologous proteins.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/faculty/sarah-bondos.html

 

Jeffrey D. Cirillo, Ph.D.

Professor
Email: jdcirillo@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Infectious Diseases Vaccines and Antibiotic Development.
Dr. Cirillo's laboratory focuses on understanding how bacteria cause pulmonary infections and using common pathways for the development of diagnostic, vaccine and antibiotic strategies to fight these infections. We currently emphasize molecular imaging techniques to diagnose infections and analyze mechanisms of disease as well as genetic and immunological approaches to dissecting molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/jeff-cirillo.html

William C. Culp, Jr. M.D.

Associate Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Scott & White Hospital, TAMHSC, COM
E-mail: wculp@swmail.sw.org
Research Interests: Local Anesthetics; Three-dimensional Echocardiography
Dr. Culp is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist who participates in clincal research, focusing on clinical application of local anesthetics (nerve blocks, epidural anesthetics) as well as exploring the new technology of real-time 3D echocardiographic imaging for patients having heart surgery. For the 2010 summer season, there will likely be an opportunity for one medical student to participate in various aspects of a new drug regimen to aid in epidural analgesia. Prospective students need to contact Dr. Culp directly to confirm availability of position pending IRB approval and discuss the project.

Dena Davidson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, TexasA&M University Director of Research: VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans
E-mail: dena.davidson@va.gov
Research Interests: Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Treatments for Alcoholism.
My research investigates the mechanisms of action of pharmacotherapies to deter harmful levels of alcohol drinking in humans.

 

Sharon DeMorrow, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
E-mail: demorrow@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Liver Cancer - Cholangiocarcinoma.
My research broadly focuses on the factors controlling neoplastic cholangiocyte proliferation. Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line in the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts and that are responsible for the modification of ductal bile. The neoplastic transformation of cholangiocytes into the malignant counterpart gives rise to cholangiocarcinoma, which has very few effective treatment options and poor prognosis. Thus, factors that affect the neoplastic cholangiocyte proliferation may lead to novel treatment paradigms.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/faculty/sharon-demorrow.html

David E. Dostal, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Molecular Cardiology
E-mail: ddostal@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Dr. Dostal's research focuses on two areas of heart research, which include: (1) mechanical load induced heart failure and (2) pathological effects of anthrax lethal toxin on MAP kinase and Akt signaling pathways int eh context of systolic and diastolic functin aond myocardial survival. His laboratory uses a combination of isolated cardiac cells and in vivo models to dissect the signaling cirucits responsible for inducing these disease processes.
Website

 

David J. Earnest, Ph.D.

Professor
Neuroscience & Experimental therapeutics
E-mail: dearnest@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Dr. Earnest's research focuses on the neurobiology of the mammalian circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and its regulation by light-dark cycles, multidisciplinary approaches to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms for normal SCN pacemaker function and the deterioration of circadian timekeeping that occurs in aging, Alzheimer's disease and an animal model for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).  Dr. Earnest also investigates the circadian clock genes in toxin metabolism and mammary gland carcinogenesis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clocks/home.html

 

Richard H. Finnel, Ph.D.

Executive Director, TIGM, Professor Cell and Molecular Biology, COM, Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, IBT, TAMHSC
Ph: 713-677-7777
E-mail: rfinnell@ibt.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Dr. Finnel focuses on understanding the genetic basis of susceptibility to environmentall induced birth defects, using genetically modified mouse models to study gene-nutrient inter-actions during embruyo-genesis, as well as interrogating candidate genes in human birth defect cohorts.
Weblink: http://www.ibt.tamhsc.edu/labs/cegm

 

Arthur E. Frankel, M.D.

Professor
E-mail: afrankel@swmail.sw.org
Research Interests: Immunotherapy of Cancer
Cancer metastases involve malignant cells using developmental pathways to generate cell invasion and dissemination. A major pathway is the epithelial-mesenchmal transition (EMT) which normally occurs early in embryogenesis to facilitate formation of the msenchymal tissues. We have identified a number of EMT targets for immunotherapy. In collaboration with Malcolm Brenner at Baylor, we have generated single chain antibody (sFv) fragments which bind to cell surface EMT antigens. These have been introduced by gamma retrovirus into patient T lymphocytes and then infused into patients to produce remissions in solid tumors. We are intrested in expanding the preclinical and clinical appication of this chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell approach to both engineer CAR T cells for new EMT targets (PSMA) and to improve current CAR T cell (GD2) function by introduction of CD28 co-stimulatory sequences into current CAR T cell constructs. Research involves construction, protein engineering, cell gene thearpy and analysis of animal and patient immune responses and tumore responses.

Jonathan A. Friedman, M.D.

Associate Professor
Neroscience & Neurosurgery
TAMHSC College of Medicine
Director of hte Texas Brain & Spine Institute
E-mail: jafriedman@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: My primary basic science research interest is in neural regeneration with particular regard to surgical paradigms to facilitate axonal regeneration flollowing spinal cord injury. My main focus in clinical research has been subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebrovascular disease.
Website: www.txbsi.com
Clinical Neurosurgery Program
Drs. Briner, Friedman, Toussaint, and White sponsor a coordinated summer research experience in neurosurgery. This is generally offered to 4 or 5 students maximum. Research projects are either clinical or laboratory-based neuroscienc, under the direction of a faculty mentor. One morning weekly is spent in surgery. One didactic session weekly covers an important clinical area in neurosurgery. Publication and presentation are strongly encouraged. This summer experience is best suited for students who are considering neurosurgery as a career. Students are encouraged to apply early, as several fellowhsips and grants by neurosurigacl organizations may be available.

Dawit Gizachew, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, COM
E-mail: dgizachew@tamu.edu
Research Interest: Cancer and Drug Development
My laboratory broadly focuses on understanding signaling mechanisms of cancer and designing therapeutic drugs for cancer using structural and cell biology techniques. My research includes the studies of the structure and functions of Ras-like GTPases, such as ADP ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6). Arf6 regulates changes in the actin cytoskeleton and the movement of the plasma membrane into and out of an endosomal recycling pathway. This membrane-recycling pathway is involved in cell spreading and Rac1-mediated cell ruffling. This suggests that Arf6 is a critical component in the cell shape alterations that occur during cell migration, differentiation and metastasis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/faculty/dawit-gizachew.html

Shannon S. Glaser, Ph.D.

Professor
Internal Medicine
E-mail: slaser@tamu.edu
Research Interests: Biliary Proliferation Induced by Mechanical Stress
Mechanical force is an important modulator of cellular morphology and function in a variety of tissues, and we postulate that mechanical stress plays an important role in the regulation of liver cell proliferation during extrahepatic bile duct obstruction of the liver. Bile ducts make up tree-like tube system that drain bile from the liver. The bile ducts are lined by simple epithelial cells that we call cholangiocytes. Extrahepatic bile duct obstruction causes the blockage of bile flow from the liver, which in turn causes the cells lining the bile ducts to undergo mechanical stresses as the pressure inside the bile ducts increases. Proliferation of cholangiocytes is critical for the maintenance of biliary mass and secretory function during the pathogenesis of chronic cholestatic liver diesease, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The long-term goal of our research program is to understand how activation of cholangiocyte proliferation participates in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver diesase and contributes to the resultant biliary fibrosis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc/edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/faculty/shannon-glaser.html

 

Carl Gregory, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Temple West Campus
E-mail: cgregory@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Adult Stem Cells and Bone Regeneration
Our major goals are to examine the potential for adult human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow to accelerate regeneration of bone tissue. We have various models of traumatic bone injury in long bones and craniofacial injury and we are currently testing promising strategies for improving cell culture and administration. We also have an active program examing the effect of malignancy on bone homeostasis.

Tina L. Gumienny, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Molecular & Cellular Medicine
E-mail: gumienny@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Regulation of TGF Beta Signaling Pathways.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) pathway signaling is responsible for a number of developmental and homeostatic processes, from patterning to growth control and body size, and is misregulated in many cancers. By using the simple yet genetically conserved model system C. elegans (a tiny free-living nematode), our lab aims to better understand how TGF beta signaling is controlled by identifying novel, conserved regulators, which could provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention of diseases and disorders associated with altered TGF beta signaling.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/faculty/tina-gumienny.html

 

Shaodong Guo, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, COM
E-mail: sguo@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Mechanisms of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Cardiac Dysfunction
Dr. Guo's lab general research interests include the mechanisms of hyperglycemia and cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, focusing on insulin and angiotensis II (Angll) signal transduction, insulin resistance, gene transcriptional controll of nutrient homeostasis, obesity-induced diabetes and cardiac hypertrophy and dysfnction in diabetes. Dr. Guo has been working on the gene transcriptional regulation of metabolic homeostasis by insulin receptor substrate proteins (IRS) and Forkhead FoxO transcription factors with the hope of understanding how the signaling from insulin via IRS to FoxO proteins plays a key role in many fundamental cellular processes, including cellular growth and metabolism. He has taken a multidisciplinary approach in both cell and animal-based experiments to investigate how different signals regulate FoxO and how dyregulation of the FoxO pathway is involved in the development of metabloc diseases. His work has published in a number of journals including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Endocrinology, Molecular & Cellular Bilogy, Cell Metabolism, and Nature Medicine. While at Harvard, Dr. Guo's research was funded by the American Diabetes Association Junior Faculty Award. His long term goals are to identify components of the IRS/FoxO regulatory network that can be targeted for terapeutic intervention in the treatment of diabetes mellius and cardiac dysfunction.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/molecular-cardiology/faculty-staff/shaodong-guo.html

Sudhiranjan Gupta, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, CVRI, COM
E-mail: sgupta@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: The goal of my research program is elucidation, at the molecular level, of the signal transduction and gene regulatory events that underlie the development of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Our approach involves the development and utilization of transgenic and gene targeted mice to perturb specific gene regulatory and signal transduction cascades in the heart. This allows us to relate changes in the action of single gene products with specific alterations of cardiac biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology in vivo. Current program in Dr. Gupta's lab focused on three projects: understanding the molecular mechanism extracellular matrix protein remodeling during cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure targeting NF-kB and ILK signaling pathways; examining the role of thymosin b4 in cardiac protection; and determining the role of NF-kB in pulmonary hypertension.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/molecular-cardiology/faculty-staff/sudhiranjan-gupta.html

Laura Hendrix, Ph.D.

Assistant professor
Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis
Email: lhendrix@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Dr. Hendrix investigates pathogenic mechanisms of Bartonella bacilliformis related to infection of human erythrocytes, in vitro immune response to Bartonella and immune response to Coxiella burnetii.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/laura-hendrix.html

Magnus Hook, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Infectious & Inflammatory Diseases Institute of Biosciences & Technology, TAMHSC
Ph: 713-677-7551; Lab 7552
E-mail: mhook@ibt.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Dr. Hook focuses on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of infections and inflammatory diseases. He explores the practical applications of discoveries made in these studies; two key areas are microbial adherence to hsot tissue and microbial evasion of hos defense systems. He also identifies the molecules involved in the processes, characterizing the interactions in submolecular detail using modern detailed biochemical methods, and articulating molecular hypoteses describing the dieases process.  By evaluating model systems, comparisons can be made to clinical findings in human disease. Ultimately, he works to translate research findings to new or improved strategies to prevent and treat infectious deseases.
Website: http://ibt.tamhsc.edu/labs/ciid/index.html

 

David P. Huston

Vice Dean, COM Houston Campus
Professor of Medicine and of Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis, COM
Director, Clinical Sciences and Translational Research Institute, TAMHSC
E-mail: dhuston@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: The overall goal of his laboratory is to understand mechanisms regulating inflammation and immune responses. Studies focus on the pathobilogy of allergic diseases, asthma, and immune deficiences. These studies address the interactions between cytokines and their receptors, signal transduction and regulation of signaling, adn the ineractions between dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, basophils, and eosinophils, utilizing in vitro systems and human subjects. These studies should provide insight into physiologic mechanisms and enable development of novel therapeutics.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/david-huston.html

Julian Leibowitz, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, COM
E-mail: leibowitz@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Replication and Pathogenesis of Coronavirus Infections
The goals of the Leibowitz lab are two-fold: 1) to utilize a murine coronavirus model of SARS to identify viral genetic determinants of pneumotropism and pneumovirulence and; 2) to understand how cis-acting sequences at the 5' adn 3' untranslated regions (UTRS) function in the replication of cornaviruses.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/julian-leibowitz.html

Fei Liu, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, COM
E-mail: fliu@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: Signal Transduction and Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Liu's current research projects are the development and regeneration of tooth roots, functional restoration of salivary glands and the reprogramming of salivary gland and craniofacial cell into insulin-producing islet beta-cells.
Website: http://www.medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/facutly/fei-liu.html

Steve Maxwell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, COM
E-mail: smaxwell@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: Cancer and Mechanism of Drug Resistance
Dr. Maxwell's lab is concerned with the mechanisms of drug resistance in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Current projects are focused on the role of apoptic genes in the emergence of the chemoresistant phenotype and on drug discovery to resensitize resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/faculty/steve-maxwell.html

Eric C. Meyer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Principal Investigator int he Assessment Core, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsVISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans
E-mail: eric.meyer@va.gov
Research Interest:  Dr. Meyer looks to identify the malleable risk factors for PTSD and psychosis, particularly experiential avoidance and neurocognitive factors, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Brett Mitchell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine
E-mail: bmitchell@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Hypertension (post-organ transplant and pregnancy-induced) and Endothelial Dysfunction.
Dr. Mitchell's lab major goals are to understand the molecular pathophysiology of various forms of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Current work in the lab is focused on two projects : the role of immunophilins in endothelial function and blood pressure regulation and the role of the immune system in the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/clinical-departments/internal-medicine/faculty/brett-mithcell.html

Margie Moczygemba, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis
Ph: 713-677-8114
E-mail: mmoczygemba@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: Dr. Moczygemba goals are to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling interleukin-5 receptor endocytosis and signal termination, how the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathway controls the endocytic trafficking of the IL-5 receptor, and how this process contributes to "shutting off" IL-5-mediated signaling. In a related project the goal is to understand the significance of differential compartmentalization of the IL-5R into lipid rafts and clathrin-containing vesicles.

Xu Peng, M.D.M Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, COM
E-mail: xp23@tamu.edu
Research Interest: Signaling Transduction in Heart and Blood Vessel Development
Dr. Peng's research focuses on the signaling transduction in cardiovascular development and disease. Cdc42 is a molecular switch in signal transduction and plays an important role in cell migration, proliferation adn cell survival. To explore the role and mechanisms of Cdc42 in heart and blood vessel development, we generated several Cdc42 genetic modified mice lines. We will use histology, cell biology and molecular biology methods to address the role and functions of Cdc42 in cardiovascular system.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/sbtm/faculty/xu-peng.html

 

Darwin J. Prockop, M.D.

Director
Texas A&M HSC
Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Scott & White
5701 Airport Road, Module C
Temple, TX 76502-6954
E-mail: Prockop@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Phone: 254-771-6800
Fax: 254-771-6839
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/faculty/darwin-prockop.html

D. Samba Reddy, Ph.D., R.Ph.

Associate Professor
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
E-mail: reddy@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Epilepsy and New Drug Development.
Dr. Reddy's major goals are to understand the molecular pathophysiology and develop novel therapeutic strategies for epilepsy, with an emphasis on translational neuroscience of catamenial epilepsy and temporal lobe epilepsy. Current work in the lab is focused on two projects: translational (antiepileptic drug development) and basic neuroscience (neurosteroid regulation of GABA-A receptors) projects.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/next/faculty/samba-reddy.html

 

Mendell Rimer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
E-mail: mjrimer@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Developmental Neurobiology, Synaptogenesis, Motoneuron disease: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/next/faculty/mendell-rimer.html

 

Jennifer L. Robinson, Ph.D.

Scott & White Memorial Hospital-Neuroscience Institute
E-mail: jrobinson@swmail.sw.org
Research Interests: Emotion, Memory, Movement Disorders, Psychiatric Disease

Dr. Robinson's lab has active research projects in the following areas: 1) imaging the effect of corisol (one of the body's stress hormones) in psychiatric populations, 2) examining non-motor (i.e. emotional, cognitive, and physiological) symptoms of movements disorders, and 3) enhancing pre-surgical planning using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). She has an fMRI lab and an autonomic physiology lab which permits both central and peripheral nervous systems.

Website: http://www.jennyrobinson.org

 

Val Runge, M.D.

Professor
Department of Radiology
E-mail: val.runge@mac.com
Research Interest: MRI, MR Contrast Agents
We have several potential academic projects available for medical students. In terms of research endeavors, these involve evaluation of novel MR pulse sequences in clinical patients and healthy volunteers, particularly new techniques for obtaining neuro MR examinations. Other areas for potential research involvement include work with MR contrast agents. Additional oppotunities for academic projects will also likely be available that will allow students to become more familiar with radiology as a field.

Stephen H. Safe, D.Phil.

Director, Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, IBT, TAMHSC
Ph: 713-677-7753
E-mail: ssafe@cvm.tamu.edu
Research Interest: Dr. Safe focuses on the development of new mechanism-based anticancer drugs that target cancer chemotherapy; Ah receptor as a drug target; endocrine disruptors; mechanisms of hormonal activation of gene expression.
Website: http://ibt.tamhsc.edu/labs/cegm/index.html

James E. Samuel, Ph.D.

Professor, COM
E-mail: jsamuel@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: My laboratory works with the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q fever and a cateogry B biothreat agent. One long-term goal of our research is to understand the molecular pathogenic machanisms involved in the host-pathogen interaction. A second long term goal is to develop effective subunit vaccines against Q fever and current studies focus on 1) the response of infection by the host, especially by cells of the immune system, 2) understanding the components of protective immunity elicited by a whole killed cellular antigen and,3) identify appropriate recombinant vaccine strategies to elicit protective immunity.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/james-samuel.html

H. Wayne Sampson, Ph.D.

Professor
Systems Biology & Translational Medicine-Temple/College Station
E-mail: sampson@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Osteoporosis and Fracture Healing.
One area of research in this lab is to determine the mechanism for reduced fracture healing in alcoholics. We are using the latest methods of microarray analysis, miRNA and proteomics to identify altered gene pathways during the stages of fracture healing. This project can be done in Temple or College Station. We also have other cell culture projects with osteocytes that can be done on either campus. Another active area is with the orthopedic department, where we are attempting to develop a biodegradable "bone putty" that we can use as a matrix for new bone formation. Hopefully this substance can be used in the repair of critical-gap fractures. This is a Temple project. Also for the Temple campus is a project related to diabetes and bone fracture.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/sbtm/faculty/wayne-sampson.html

 

Veronica Sanchez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis
E-mail: VSanchez@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: My lab is focused on understanding mechanisms of human cytomegalovirus trafficking and assembly. Of specific interest is the modulation of cholesterol homeostasis by infection as it relates to acquisition of the virion envelope. Changes in cholesterol metabolism could contribute to the pathogenesis of the virus with respect to its association with atherosclerosis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/veronica-sanchez.html

 

J. Martin Scholtz, Ph.D.

Professor
Molecular & Cellular Medicine
E-mail: scholtz@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Protein Folding and Solubility.
The Scholtz lab is interested in general and fundamental problems dealing with protein folding, misfolding and solubility. We employ a variety of biophysical and biochemical techniques to study aspects of protein stability, misfolding to amyloid and general questions about protein solubility that are relevant to human disease and treatment.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mcm/faculty/martin-scholtz.html

 

Farida Sohrabji, Ph.D.

Professor
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
E-mail: Sohrabji@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Effect of Aging and Hormone Replacement on Stroke.
The major goals of Dr. Sohrabji's lab are to understand the effects of hormone (estrogen) replacement on the aging female brain especially in the context of stroke and neural inflammation. Current work in the lab is focused on three projects: changes in the blood brain barrier using imaging technology, endogenous and graft-induced neuronal repair and regeneration following stroke and novel therapeutic approaches combining estrogen with other peptide hormones.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/next/faculty/farida-sohrabji.html

 

Gerard Toussaint, M.D.

Assistant Professor
Neuroscience & Neurosurgery
TAMHSC College of Medicine
St. Joseph Hospital
E-mail: lgtoussaint@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research/Clinical Interests: Vurgical Specialities/Diseases Treated (Brain and Spine): Glimoas: glioblastomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, mixed gliomas; anerurysms, vascular malformations, carotid disease, intracaranical hemorrhage, acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, trigeminal neuralgia, traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus, cervical and lumber stenosis, cervical and lumbar disc disease, spinal instability.
Clincal Neurosurgery Program
Drs. Briner, Friedman, Toussaint, and White sponsor a coordinated summer research experience in neurosurgery. This is generally offered to 4 or 5 students maximum. Research projects are either clinical or laboratory-based neuroscience, under the direction of a faculty mentor. One morning weekly is spent in surgery. Once didactic session weekly covers an important clinical area in neurosurgery. Publication and presentation are strongly encouraged. This summer experience is best suited for students whoare considering neurosurgery as career. Students are encouraged t apply early, as several fellowships and grants by neurosurgical organizations may be available.

Vincent VanBuren, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, COM
E-mail: vanburen@tamu.edu
Research Interest: Computational Systems Biology
Dr. VanBuren's broad research interests are 1) inference of biological networks from multiple sources of data, and 2) modeling the emergent behavior of stochastic biological systems. Our present focus is on the inference of gene regulatory networks involved in early development of the mouse heart.
Website: http://vanburenlab.medicine.tamhsc.edu

Emily Wilson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Systems Biology and Translational Medicine
Director, Graduate Studies, COM
E-mail: ewilson@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interest: The goals of my lab are to understand the role of mechanical forces in vascular growth and remodeling processes. We use genetic models and surgical techniques to maniuplate alterations in vascular mechanical properties and study the molecular changes responsible for vascular remodeling. We have focused on the TFG signaling pathway. At the cellular level we focus on understanding the transcriptional pathways that regulate changes in cmooth muscle phenotype.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/sbtm/faculty/emily-wilson.html

 

Van G. Wilson, Ph.D.

Professor
Microbial & Molecular Pathogenesis
E-mail: wilson@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Papillomaviruses, Keratinocyte Biology, Sumoylation.
The major goals. Dr. Wilson's lab are to understand the molecular biology of papillomavirus replication and the interplay between the virus and the host cell. A recent focus has been on the host cell sumoylation system (a protein-based post-translation modification system related to ubiquitinylation) and how the virus both uses and modifies this system to create an intracellular environment that facilitates viral persistence, reproduction, and oncogenesis.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/mmp/faculty/van-wilson.html

 

Ursula Winzer-Serhan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics
E-mail: uwserhan@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Research Interests: Developmental Neuropharmacology, Brain Development.
Dr. Serhan's lab major goals are to understand the long-term and short-term consequences of nicotine exposure during brain development. Nicotine is a component of tobacco smoke and activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the nervous system. We are using a neonatal exposure model to study the developmental nicotine exposure and its effect on hippocampal development which could result in long-term behavioral changes. We are also interested in studying the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during development to identify areas particularly vulnerable to nicotine.
Website: http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/next/faculty/ursula-winzerserhan.html