Gary C. Sieck

Gary C. Sieck, Ph.D., is a Professor of Physiology and Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota. He holds the Vernon F. and Earline D. Dale Professorship and leads the Cell and Regenerative Physiology Laboratory. His primary appointments are in the Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, with joint appointments in Anesthesiology and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

• Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurophysiology, UCLA
• B.S. in Zoology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Dr. Sieck's research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of muscle performance, particularly in the diaphragm and airway smooth muscle. His work spans neuromuscular control, mitochondrial-ER interactions, muscle weakness in aging and disease, and regenerative therapies. He employs advanced techniques including confocal imaging, laser-capture microdissection, and viral gene transfer.

His recent publications highlight sustained expertise in respiratory physiology, aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, and critical illness. Themes include hypothermia, insulin physiology, homeostasis, and diaphragm motor control, reflecting a broad yet integrated research vision aimed at improving patient outcomes in conditions like COPD, asthma, spinal cord injury, and sarcopenia.

• Inaugural Fellow, American Physiological Society
• Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
• President, American Physiological Society (2009–2010)
• Recipient, Distinguished Service Award, Association of Chairs of Departments of Physiology (2019)
• Distinguished Alumnus, University of Nebraska Medical Center (2014, 2019)

Dr. Sieck has mentored numerous trainees and led major academic initiatives, including serving as Editor-in-Chief of Physiology and Dean of Research Academic Affairs at Mayo Clinic. His lab has received continuous NIH funding for over 38 years, supporting groundbreaking work on BDNF-TrkB signaling, mitochondrial dynamics, and novel gene therapies for neuromuscular recovery.

He leads the Cell and Regenerative Physiology Laboratory, which integrates physiology, biomedical engineering, and molecular biology to explore fundamental mechanisms of muscle function and develop regenerative therapeutic strategies.