Sean Ward

Sean Ward is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. His research focuses on the functional roles of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiology, particularly their roles in pacemaker activity, slow wave generation, and neuromuscular transmission. His lab employs multi-faceted approaches including electrophysiology, molecular biology, and calcium imaging to study ICCs' contributions to GI motility and their disruption in disease states.

Research interests include ICC-mediated pacemaker activity in visceral organs, stretch receptor functions, and neural signaling pathways in the gut. Recent work highlights ICCs' critical roles in propagating slow waves, mediating cholinergic/nitrergic inputs, and maintaining gastric muscle responses.

Publications span gastrointestinal physiology, cardiovascular biology, and astrophysics collaborations, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to understanding cellular mechanisms in health and disease.

Key collaborations within the School of Medicine and with other departments have enabled advancements in ICC function and their implications for conditions like diabetes-related GI motility disorders. Ongoing studies explore ICC dysfunction in obesity and diabetes, as well as novel therapeutic targets for motility disorders.