David Stec

Dr. David Stec is a Professor and Director of the Transgenic Core at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics. He holds academic appointments since 2001 and serves on multiple NIH/NHLBI study sections.

• PhD in Physiology (Medical College of Wisconsin, 1996)
• BS in Biology (University of Scranton, 1991)

Research Focus: The heme oxygenase (HO) system's role in cardiovascular/metabolic regulation, particularly bilirubin signaling through PPARα, carbon monoxide (CORMs) as anti-obesity agents, and renal mechanisms in hypertension. His lab developed transgenic models linking HO-1 to body weight, bilirubin to hepatic steatosis, and CORMs to fat cell reprogramming.

Publication Trends: His recent work emphasizes bilirubin's nuclear receptor activation, HO-1's sex-differential metabolic effects, and CORMs' cardiovascular safety. Articles span Metabolism, Antioxidants, and Physiology journals, with keywords in metabolic syndrome, lipid signaling, and heme biology.

Scientific Recognition:

• Platinum Level Excellence in Research Award (2023)
• Intellectual Property Recognition (2019)
• Multiple Caroline Tum Suden/Francis Hellebrandt Awards
• Honored by American Physiological Society

Teaching & Mentorship: Course director for Renal and Body Fluid Physiology and Physiological Applications of Molecular Biology. Mentored 15+ graduate students/postdocs including Kipp ZA, Badmus OO, and Hinds TD Jr.