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Jackson TaylorView profile

Assistant Professor

• Epigenetics
• Aging Research
• Longevity Mechanisms
• +3 more

Jackson Taylor is an Assistant Professor at Cleveland State University's Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), leading research on epigenetic mechanisms of aging using Drosophila melanogaster models. His work focuses on how epigenetic modifications drive age-related dysfunction and disease, with emphasis on lifespan extension strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of Medicine (2013) Postdoctoral Training, Wake Forest Health Sciences (2013-2016) Postdoctoral Training, Brown University (2016-2022) Dr. Taylor's research program investigates epigenome dynamics during aging, particularly how experimental manipulation of epigenetic regulators like Sirt6 extends lifespan and preserves physical function. His lab employs next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, genetic engineering, and longevity assays to study Alzheimer's disease models and identify novel epigenetic modifiers. Key findings demonstrate that Sirt6 overexpression represses Myc target genes through H3K9ac deacetylation, reducing protein synthesis and extending lifespan in fruit flies. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on epigenetic aging mechanisms across model systems, with significant contributions to understanding transposable element regulation, DNA methylation patterns in immune aging, and calcium channel dynamics in sarcopenia. His work bridges basic epigenetic discovery with translational applications for age-related diseases. Dr. Taylor advises graduate students in the Taylor Lab (established Fall 2022), mentoring Samira Xhaferi, Roja Sharma, and Prema Singaravel. His research is supported through GRHD center resources and collaborations with the Cleveland Clinic Joint Ph.D. Programs. The Taylor Lab operates within CSU's Science and Research Building (Room 259), utilizing advanced genomic and bioinformatic infrastructure through the GRHD center's facilities. Current projects target tissue-specific Sirt6 mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease models and high-throughput screening of epigenetic longevity modifiers.

Randal J. WestrickView profile

Associate Professor

• Genetics
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Thrombosis
• +3 more

Randal J. Westrick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Oakland University. He joined the university in 2013 with funding from an American Heart Association Scientist Development grant and maintains an active research laboratory focused on cardiovascular genetics. Dr. Westrick holds a Ph.D. and is an internationally recognized researcher in the genetics of thrombosis, hemostasis, and cardiovascular disease whose work has been cited over 4,000 times. His research primarily focuses on the genetics of cardiovascular disease , with particular emphasis on thrombosis and hemostasis. His laboratory employs genome wide mutagenesis approaches in mice with genetically lethal blood clotting disorders to identify and characterize genetic variants that restore survival. His work explores how these variants alter biological activities such as cytoskeletal regulation, lipid biology, and extrinsic blood coagulation, providing innovative therapeutic targets for reducing blood clot risk. A significant portion of his research has centered on identifying genetic loci controlling the expression of platelet plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (pPAI-1). Dr. Westrick's publication record shows a consistent focus on cardiovascular genetics with increasing emphasis on genomic approaches. His recent work (2021-2023) demonstrates expansion into tumor biology and RNA splicing mechanisms while maintaining his core focus on thrombosis and hemostasis. The integration of genomic techniques with traditional cardiovascular research represents a cutting-edge approach to understanding complex disease mechanisms. Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) Dr. Westrick actively mentors students at various levels, with multiple undergraduate and graduate students contributing to his research publications. His laboratory is supported by multiple grants including: American Heart Association Strategically Focused Research Network Center on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease, NIH R15 grant investigating Arl6ip5's roles in suppressing thrombosis, NSF grant on data analytics in STEM education, NIH U2C/TL1 Institutional Network Award, and American Heart Association undergraduate research programs. His lab occupies space in Dodge Hall rooms 301, 304, and 307 and includes graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates working collaboratively on projects related to cardiovascular genetics and thrombosis.