Vascular and Respiratory Biology

The normal function and pathology of the vascular and respiratory systems are of interest to many BSGP faculty members. Research in the vascular system focuses on angiogenesis, vascular tone, and coagulation as they relate to disease processes including retinopathy, pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, and developmental defects. The respiratory system is studied both as a route for entry and target of environmental toxins and pathogens, and for drug delivery. The program includes exceptional expertise in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infectious diseases. Research in these areas is highly multidisciplinary and encompasses a wide range of fields including aerosol science and chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, microscopy, molecular biology, and physiology. Unique facilities for exposure and state-of-the-art analytical methods are available.

Janet Benson, PhD/DABT
Toxicological evaluations of single compounds and complex mixtures of occupational and environmental concern

Laura Gonzalez Bosc, PhD
Transcriptional regulation of vascular smooth muscle phenotype

Matthew Campen, PhD
How the cardiovascular system may become impaired as a result of insults to the respiratory system

Nancy Kanagy, PhD
Study of the mechanisms leading to altered vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell physiology in animal models of hypertension and sleep apnea.

Walt Kisiel, PhD
Biochemistry of the initiation and regulation of blood coagulation; role of coagulation in atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and cancer

Joe L. Mauderly, DVM
Health effects of air pollution

Jacob McDonald, PhD
Implementation of analytical chemistry and aerosol science to address questions of environmental relevance

Paul McGuire, PhD
The role of extracellular proteinases and growth factors in the regulation of ocular angiogenesis and vascular permeability.

Robert A. Orlando, PhD
Obesity and cardiovascular disease, LDL receptor family, proteoglycans, Alzheimer's disease

Matthew Reed, PhD/DABT
Toxicology of inhaled toxicants and chemical and biochemical toxicology

Tom Resta, PhD
Mechanisms of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

JeanClare Seagrave, PhD
Mechanisms of health effects of inhaled materials including air pollution and cigarette smoke

Hugh D. C. Smyth, PhD
Drug delivery and pharmaceutics

Mohan Sopori, PhD
The immunosuppresive and anti-inflammatory properties of nicotine are mediated through its direct interaction with immune cells and indirectly through the sympathetic autonomic nervous system

Mary K. Walker, PhD
Study the molecular mechanisms of the Ah receptor in cardiovascular physiology and disease