James Wyss

James Wyss is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with multiple affiliations including the Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology (CDIB) department, Neurobiology in the School of Medicine, and Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. With a career spanning decades, he focuses on central nervous system cardiovascular control, neuronal development, metabolic disease mechanisms, and STEM education pipelines for pre-K-16 students.

• Research Interests: Autonomic nervous system regulation, developmental programming of disease, neuromodulation in hypothalamus, and educational interventions for biomedical careers
• Teaching: Directed UAB's BioTeach program (2013-2024), taught vascular biology journal clubs (2013-2024), and mentored graduate students through dissertation committees

His research program spans cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience, and metabolic syndrome, with particular emphasis on taurine's role in neurological and cardiovascular function. His 15+ recent publications demonstrate expertise in early-life stress effects on autonomic function, STEM education models, and plant-based supplement analysis.

Scientific Awards include:

• Distinguished Professor (2021)
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring (2019)
• APS Fellowship (2015)
• Gardner Wright Scientist of the Year (2017, 2012)

As Director of CORD (2013-present) and STEM Center Director (2017), he has built extensive partnerships between UAB, McWane Science Center, and Alabama school districts, securing over 80 grants including multiple NIH and NSF awards. His work has directly engaged >12,000 students through educational programs like Sickle Cell Anemia genetics workshops.