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Murad TaaniView profile

Associate Professor

• Geriatric Nursing
• Public Health
• Self-Management
• +3 more

Murad Taani, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing . His research focuses on geriatric health, self-management, sarcopenia, and physical activity in aging populations. He is affiliated with the Geriatric Health Self-Management Research Group and has secured grants from institutions like NIH NINR. PhD in Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee MPH in Public Health, New Mexico State University Taani’s research explores the intersection of physical function, nutrition, and psychosocial factors in older adults. Key areas include sarcopenia mitigation, vibration exercise efficacy, and self-management strategies in long-term care settings. He investigates how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence health outcomes. Recent publications highlight muscle mechanography , vibration therapy , and health disparities in African American communities. His work bridges clinical practice and public health, emphasizing patient-centered outcomes. DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty (2022) Ascending Star Award (2018) PCORI Annual Meeting Scholarship (2016) Nancy A. Wright Doctoral Fellowship (2015) Taani collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on NIH-funded trials and has mentored students through the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. His grants focus on aging research and community health interventions.

• Smooth Muscle Physiology
• Gastrointestinal Motility
• Urinary Bladder Function
• +7 more

Brian Perrino serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, where his research bridges molecular signaling and physiological function in gastrointestinal and urinary systems. Education: B.S. in Biology from Syracuse University Ph.D. from Boston University Post-Doctoral training at the Vollum Institute His research program centers on signaling pathways regulating cellular responses , with groundbreaking work on Mfge8-mediated regulation of stomach emptying . By inhibiting Rho kinase, Mfge8 increases myosin phosphatase activity and decreases gastric muscle contractions, optimizing nutrient absorption. This mechanism extends to diabetic gastroparesis and obesity-related gastric dysfunction , while parallel investigations explore PDGFRα+ cells in bladder pathophysiology and interstitial cells of Cajal in gut motility . Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on smooth muscle contractility mechanisms across organ systems, with innovative approaches including spatial gene mapping, transcriptomic profiling, and functional assays in murine/non-human primate models. His work identifies critical pathways in bladder fibrosis, gastric emptying regulation, and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Dr. Perrino has not listed any scientific awards in the provided materials. While specific advising details are unavailable, his extensive publication record suggests active mentorship in smooth muscle research. His work is institutionally supported through the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, with potential external funding indicated by sustained research output. His laboratory integrates molecular characterization , functional physiology , and translational approaches to investigate smooth muscle signaling in gastrointestinal and urinary systems, maintaining strong emphasis on pathological conditions like diabetic complications and bladder inflammation.

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Muscle Cell Biology
• Calcium Signaling
• +3 more

Dr. Judy J Watson is a Senior Research Associate at the Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, specializing in cardiovascular physiology and calcium signaling in muscle cells. Her research focuses on the role of caveolin-3 in heart failure and cardiac myocyte dysfunction. Key Research Areas: Heart failure, calcium channel regulation, caveolin-3, muscle cell biology Her recent works (2018-2019) explore how caveolin-3 modifications affect t-tubular ICa density, cardiac hypertrophy, and excitation-contraction coupling. These studies primarily fall under physiology and molecular biology disciplines, with cross-disciplinary implications in neurodegenerative disease research through neurotrophic factor connections. Dr. Watson actively collaborates with researchers in cardiac physiology and contributes to open-access datasets related to calcium dynamics in atrial myocytes.

• Clinical Sciences
• Public Health
• Exercise Physiology
• +7 more

Dr. Christian Brakenridge is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Health Sciences and collaborates with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Melbourne) and the South-eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences . His work focuses on 24-hour behaviors (sitting, standing, activity, sleep) and their impact on cardiometabolic health , particularly in type 2 diabetes and obesity populations. PhD from Australian Catholic University Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology from Queensland University of Technology His research leverages wearable sensors (accelerometers, EMG shorts, glucose monitors) to analyze movement patterns and health outcomes. Recent work includes: Optimizing 24-hour time-use for metabolic health Comparative muscle exertion in overweight individuals Neighbourhood walkability effects on stepping behavior Allogeneic stem cell transplant rehabilitation Scientific accolades include an Academy of Finland research grant and leadership in the OPTIMISE Your Health Clinical Trial . He supervises PhD students at Swinburne and Xamk Finland, and his 15 most recent publications span topics from sedentary behavior epidemiology to machine learning applications in activity monitoring.

• Innate Immunity
• Adaptive Immunity
• Inflammation
• +7 more

Patrizia Rovere Querini is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University , with key affiliations at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital . She directs the General Medicine Unit 2 - General Medicine with focus on Metabolic Health and Aging, and leads the Innate Immunity and Tissue Remodeling Laboratory . Starting November 2024, she will head the Specialization School in Internal Medicine . University of Milan (MD, 1992) Open University (PhD, 1997) Allergology and Clinical Immunology specialization (1999) INSERM-CNRS Marseille-Luminy postdoc (1995-1997) Her research focuses on innate immunity , adaptive immunity , and immune signaling mechanisms related to sarcopenia , inflammatory aging , and post-COVID complications . Recent work explores how inflammatory profiles predict neuropsychiatric symptoms and the molecular constraints of age-related muscle decline. She teaches in the International Medical Doctor Program , Medicine and Surgery Master's , and Biotecnology for Innovative Therapeutics Master's , covering clinical medicine, clinical immunology, and internal medicine. Her laboratory investigates the intersection of immune system dysfunction and age-related tissue remodeling . Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Italian Society of Immunology, Clinical Immunology, and Allergology (2000 - ) She has served as program chair for two editions of the Gordon Research Conference on Apoptotic Cell Recognition & Clearance (2011, 2013), and contributes to public engagement through media interviews and social media content on telemedicine and chronic disease management.

Boyd Moreau KoffmanView profile

Professor

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Neuroimmunology
• +2 more

Boyd Moreau Koffman, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Toledo's College of Medicine. His expertise focuses on Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromuscular Disorders , with a research emphasis on neuroimmunology and therapeutic development. Education : M.D. from George Washington University College of Medicine and Health Sciences (1990), Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland (1990) Training : Internship at George Washington University Hospital (1990-1991), Neurology Residency at Henry Ford Hospital (1991-1994), Fellowship in Neuromuscular Diseases at NIH (1994-1997) Dr. Koffman's research explores neuroimmunological mechanisms in autoimmune diseases like MS, with recent work targeting macrophages in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. His publications span clinical studies on Guillain-Barre syndrome, West Nile virus complications, and genetic neurological conditions. Scientific recognition includes Alpha Omega Alpha Induction (2020), multiple listings in Best Doctors in America , and awards for teaching excellence. He serves as an AdHoc Reviewer for journals including Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery and Muscle & Nerve . Contact: neurology@utoledo.edu | Academic Office: Suite 201, 2130 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43606

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Adipocyte Differentiation
• +3 more

Robert Mcgehee Jr. is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, where he also serves as Dean of the Graduate School. He holds additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. As Associate Fellowship Director for Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, he mentors pediatric fellows and oversees research training programs. He co-founded UAMS's Clinical & Translational Science training infrastructure and directed the Education Core of the Translational Research Institute. His NIH-funded research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Key areas include: Adipocyte differentiation and retinoblastoma protein regulation Muscle-adipose tissue crosstalk in insulin resistance Inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue macrophages Pharmacological interventions (e.g., pioglitazone, omega-3 fatty acids) His publications demonstrate consistent focus on adipogenesis, insulin signaling, and inflammation across human, murine, and cell-line models. Recent work emphasizes human translational studies on adipose tissue extracellular matrix, thermogenic gene regulation, and educational methodologies in medical training. Major Grants: R25HL108825 (Co-I): Summer Undergraduate Research Program (2011-2026) UL1TR000039 (Co-I): Arkansas Clinical & Translational Research Center (2009-2016) R25GM083247 (Co-PI): Maximizing Student Development Program (2008-2024) R01DK071349 (PI): Mechanisms of Metabolic Syndrome in Obesity (2005-2015) He leads collaborative labs investigating adipose-muscle macrophage interactions using Transwell co-culture systems and human tissue samples.

Casey GiffordView profile

Assistant Professor

• Congenital Heart Disease
• Stem Cell Biology
• Epigenomics
• +4 more

Casey Gifford is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics - Cardiology and Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine . They are actively involved in research and teaching, with affiliations to multiple institutes including the Bio-X , Cardiovascular Institute , and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine . PhD in Stem Cell Biology and Epigenomics from Harvard Medical School (2013) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Heart Development at Gladstone Institutes, UCSF (2019) Their research focuses on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in cardiovascular development and disease, particularly congenital heart defects and gene regulatory networks . They use human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models , single-cell multiomic analysis , and CRISPR technology to investigate molecular pathways in cardiac development, fibroblast activation, and stress response. Recent publications highlight work on: Interferon signaling in thymic epithelial cell differentiation Mitochondrial variant pathogenicity in multisystem dysfunction Gene network convergence in valvular interstitial cells Mitochondrial-Nuclear incompatibility in hybrid species Transcription factor interactions (ISL1-NKX2.5) in cardiomyocyte fate They mentor graduate students in Genetics , Pediatric Cardiology , and Stem Cell Biology programs, and lead courses including Advanced Genetics and Stem Cell Intensive . Their lab contributes to the GREGoR Consortium for rare disease genomics and uses single-cell datasets to explore regulatory mechanisms in cardiac and craniofacial development.

Gu Ja-hyeonView profile

Associate Professor

• Pharmacological Target Discovery
• Fatty Liver Disease Mechanisms
• Hippo Signaling Network Applications
• +3 more

Gu Ja-hyeon is an Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, specializing in pharmacology and molecular signaling mechanisms related to liver disease and metabolic regulation. His research focuses on pharmacological target discovery, Hippo signaling network applications, and the molecular basis of fatty liver disease progression. Education: B.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2017) in Pharmacology from Seoul National University Career: Postdoctoral Fellow at UC San Diego (2017-2019), Assistant Professor at Catholic University of Korea (2019-2021), and current faculty at Seoul National University College of Pharmacy His work integrates: YAP/TAZ signaling in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease ER and mitochondrial stress pathways in organ injury GPCR signaling networks regulating liver fibrosis Hippo pathway applications in pharmacology Selected publications highlight his contributions to: ER stress-activated macrophage signaling (2024) Redox-regulated YAP/TAZ activation (2024) Primary cilium proteins in cell proliferation (2023) USP21 ablation effects on metabolic phenotypes (2021) His lab ( Koo Lab ) bridges basic science and translational medicine, with significant publications in Cell Death & Disease , Archives of Pharmacal Research , and FASEB Journal .

Ying H ShenView profile

Professor

• Aortic aneurysms and dissections
• Diabetic vascular diseases
• Vascular biology and diseases
• +2 more

Dr. Ying H Shen, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine and serves as the Director of the Aortic Disease Research Laboratory. She is affiliated with the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and has joint affiliations with the Texas Heart Institute. Her work bridges clinical surgery and translational vascular biology, with a focus on aortic diseases and diabetic vascular complications. Education: Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences — University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia M.D. — Beijing Medical College, Beijing, China Research Interests: Dr. Shen's research is centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying aortic aneurysms and dissections. Her laboratory investigates signaling pathways that regulate aortic destruction, healing, and remodeling. She has developed innovative mouse models to study these processes and applies advanced techniques to assess aortic structure and function. A key translational goal is the development of pharmacological strategies to prevent progressive aortic disease. She also explores diabetic vascular diseases and the role of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in vascular biology. Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications (2017–2023) emphasize epigenetic regulation, single-cell transcriptomics, inflammasome signaling, and the role of innate immune pathways such as STING and NLRP3 in aortic degeneration. There is a consistent focus on identifying therapeutic targets for aortic aneurysm and dissection, including the adverse effects of drugs like ciprofloxacin in genetically predisposed individuals. Scientific Awards: Dr. Mark L. Entman Teaching Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Education (2023) Grants & Funding: Dr. Shen has received major funding from the NHLBI, including an R01 grant awarded jointly with Dr. LeMaire, to study gender differences in aortic disease. Her lab is supported by multiple federal and institutional grants aimed at dissecting the molecular basis of vascular pathology and developing targeted therapies. Laboratory & Team: She directs the Aortic Disease Research Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine, in collaboration with the Texas Heart Institute. Her team includes postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff working on translational vascular biology projects.

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Sex Differences in Physiology
• Women's Cardiovascular Health
• +7 more

Charlotte Usselman, PhD is an Associate Professor and Associate Investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), where she leads research within the Cardiovascular Health Across the Lifespan Program. Her work bridges cardiovascular physiology and gender-specific medicine, with a particular focus on understanding how sex differences and gonadal hormones influence cardiovascular regulation and health outcomes across diverse populations. Dr. Usselman's research program centers on the neurovascular control of blood pressure and cardiovascular health, employing integrative physiology approaches to study mechanisms across various age groups and clinical conditions. Her laboratory investigates how perturbations to the gonadal hormone milieu—including conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome and postmenopause—affect cardiovascular regulation. Her work has established important connections between sex hormones, sympathetic nervous system activity, and vascular function, highlighting critical sex-specific differences in cardiovascular physiology that have implications for clinical practice and research design. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on sex as a biological variable in cardiovascular research, with particular attention to women's health conditions. Her work spans multiple methodologies including direct neural recordings, vascular function assessments, and hormonal manipulations, consistently demonstrating how sex differences manifest in cardiovascular responses to stressors, exercise, and disease states. This body of work has contributed significantly to understanding why cardiovascular disease presents differently in women and men. Dr. Usselman has been instrumental in developing guidelines for incorporating sex and gender considerations into cardiovascular research, as evidenced by her 2024 invited review in the American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology . Her systematic reviews and meta-analyses on topics like physical fitness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome have helped synthesize complex findings across multiple studies. Her laboratory actively investigates the cardiovascular implications of polycystic ovary syndrome, examining how androgen excess and body composition affect endothelial function and blood pressure regulation. This work has important clinical implications for understanding the elevated cardiovascular risk in women with this condition. Additionally, her research on salivary versus blood hormone assessments has provided valuable methodological insights for researchers studying female participants.

Joo-Seop ParkView profile

Professor

• Nephrology
• Kidney Development
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Joo-Seop Park is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, specializing in Nephrology and Hypertension, at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. He maintains a primary research affiliation with the Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, where his laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms underlying kidney development and disease pathogenesis. Dr. Park's research centers on transcriptional regulation during renal organogenesis, with particular emphasis on the roles of Tcf21, Hnf4a, and β-catenin in nephron formation, stromal cell differentiation, and podocyte development. His work integrates single-cell transcriptomics, genome-wide cistromic analyses, and sophisticated mouse genetic models to dissect cell fate determination processes in renal progenitors. Key investigations include the molecular basis of proximal tubule development, mechanisms of renal fibrosis, and transcriptional networks governing urinary bladder morphogenesis. His publications consistently bridge fundamental developmental biology with clinical implications for kidney disorders. Analysis of Dr. Park's recent publications (2018-2025) reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on transcriptional control in renal development. His work demonstrates how specific transcription factors orchestrate nephron segmentation, stromal cell differentiation, and epithelial maturation. Notable contributions include elucidating Tcf21's role in renal stromal fate determination, Hnf4a's critical function in proximal tubule development, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in nephron formation. His research increasingly incorporates single-cell technologies to resolve cellular heterogeneity in kidney fibrosis and developmental processes. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards or honors mentioned in the provided text Advising and Grants: No information regarding students, mentees, or research grants was provided in the source material Dr. Park conducts his research within the Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, leveraging institutional resources for advanced genomic and imaging technologies. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with nephrology clinicians and developmental biologists to translate basic findings into potential therapeutic approaches for kidney diseases.

Raymond ReynoldsView profile

Associate Professor

• Vestibular System
• Sensory-Motor Control
• Postural Sway
• +5 more

Dr. Raymond Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham . His research focuses on the Vestibular System , Sensory-Motor Control , and Postural Sway , with significant work on Ankle Stiffness and Physiological Tremor . 2025: Leading a feasibility study on Electrical Vestibular Stimulation in Children (Birmingham Women's Charitable Funds). 2023-2027: Principal Investigator for A novel diagnostic for vestibular dysfunction (Medical Research Council). 2022-2025: Co-Investigator in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarker Study (Ministry of Defence). His recent publications (2024-2025) explore haptic feedback in balance, bed rest effects on vestibular control, and ankle-calf muscle dynamics . He serves on the Editorial Board of Experimental Physiology since 2017.

Michael D EllisView profile

Professor

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Motor Control
• Neurorehabilitation
• +3 more

Michael D Ellis is a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, where he conducts pioneering research at the intersection of neuroscience, biomechanics, and rehabilitation engineering to advance stroke recovery interventions. His research program focuses on quantifying motor impairments in chronic stroke survivors, particularly flexion synergy and loss of independent joint control in the upper extremity. He employs robotic systems (including the ACT3D platform), shear wave ultrasound elastography , and EMG-based pattern recognition to develop objective assessment tools and targeted therapies. A hallmark of his work is the investigation of progressive abduction loading as a mechanism to overcome gravity-induced discoordination, with significant contributions to understanding the biomechanical basis of elbow contracture and spasticity. Analysis of his 2019-2024 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Development of mechatronic evaluation systems for inpatient stroke assessment with established test-retest reliability; (2) Cross-validation of biomechanical measures (e.g., ultrasound elastography as proxy for passive torque); (3) Neuroengineering applications using machine learning to decode movement intent for robotic rehabilitation. His work consistently bridges laboratory findings to clinical practice through quantitative metrics that differentiate impairment subtypes.

Christopher RichardsView profile

Professor

• Neuroscience
• Receptor Biology
• Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
• +8 more

Christopher Richards is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at University of Kentucky, with significant affiliations including the Markey Cancer Center/Cancer Research Priority Initiative, Neuroscience Research Priority Area, Substance Use Priority Research Area, and Translational Oncology Research Program. His research spans multiple disciplines with a focus on receptor neuroscience, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and the application of single-molecule imaging techniques to understand cellular processes. Dr. Richards earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009. His research profile shows significant expertise in: Receptor Neuroscience (100%) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Neuroscience (70%) Nicotinic Receptor Neuroscience (67%) Cell Membrane Neuroscience (64%) Endoplasmic Reticulum Neuroscience (63%) Stoichiometry Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (48%) Macrophage Medicine and Dentistry (46%) Single Molecule Imaging Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (37%) His research program is highly active with 66 publications and 54 projects and grants, including significant funding from the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. Recent work focuses on macrophage-engineered vesicles for cancer treatment, blood-brain barrier research related to nicotine withdrawal, and single-molecule analysis of receptor assembly in neural and cardiac tissues. His publications since 2023 reveal strong trends toward vesicle-based cancer therapeutics, particularly for ovarian cancer, and sophisticated single-molecule techniques to study receptor assembly and function. The research demonstrates significant interdisciplinary collaboration across neuroscience, cancer biology, and infectious disease fields. Dr. Richards has received research recognition including a notable award in 2023. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas related to health and well-being. His research group maintains active collaborations across multiple departments, with current projects including "Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease," "Understanding the Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Entry by Single-Molecule Approaches," and "Engineered Nanovesicles For Macrophage Reprogramming In Spinal Cord Injury." These projects demonstrate both fundamental scientific inquiry and translational applications.