معرفی
Dirk Gillespie serves as The John H. and Margaret V. Krehbiel Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at Rush Medical College, Rush University. His distinguished career bridges biophysics, cardiology, and theoretical chemistry, with a primary focus on calcium signaling mechanisms in cardiac muscle and nanofluidic systems.
Dr. Gillespie's educational background includes:
- PhD in Physiology & Biophysics from Rush University
- MS from Northwestern University
- BA from Johns Hopkins University
His research expertise centers on cardiac excitation/contraction coupling, calcium-induced calcium release, calcium channel selectivity, nanofluidics, and classical density functional theory of electrolytes. Through sophisticated mathematical modeling and computational approaches, Dr. Gillespie has made significant contributions to understanding ion channel function, particularly ryanodine receptors that mediate calcium release in cardiac cells. His work provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias and potential therapeutic approaches.
Analysis of Dr. Gillespie's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory from fundamental biophysical principles of ion channels toward increasingly sophisticated computational models that integrate multiple physical phenomena. His recent work demonstrates a strategic expansion from cardiac calcium signaling into nanofluidic systems and theoretical electrochemistry, while maintaining the core focus on ion transport phenomena. The publications show a strong emphasis on applying density functional theory to both biological systems and synthetic nanopores, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of his research program.
Dr. Gillespie directs an active research laboratory at Rush University focused on the biophysics of calcium signaling. His laboratory employs a combination of computational modeling, theoretical approaches, and collaborative experimental work to advance understanding of cardiac electrophysiology. The research program has been consistently supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and other scientific funding agencies, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in the field.
