Luca Cucullo

Luca Cucullo, Ph.D. is a Professor and Interim Co-Chair in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. He joined OUWB in September 2020 after serving as an associate professor and Vice-Chair for Research at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. His research focuses on neurovascular modeling, cerebrovascular disorders, and the impact of tobacco products on brain health.

Dr. Cucullo received his Doctoral degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology) from the University of Pisa, School of Pharmacy, in 2000. He then completed postdoctoral training at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in the Department of Neurosurgery/Cerebrovascular Research Center, specializing in in vitro cerebrovascular modeling with emphasis on CNS vascular pathophysiology.

Dr. Cucullo's research primarily focuses on translational neuroscience, with particular emphasis on blood-brain barrier functions and drug resistance. His work explores environmental and cellular modulation of the BBB, in vitro modeling of the human cerebrovascular system, and development of microfluidic systems for high-throughput research. He investigates rheological and pro-inflammatory changes in ischemia, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, as well as the pathophysiology of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette toxicity at the neurovascular unit. His research aims to identify potential prodromal factors for cerebrovascular impairment and develop countermeasures including antioxidant treatments and promoters of the innate antioxidative response system.

Dr. Cucullo's recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on blood-brain barrier integrity, neurovascular modeling, and the impact of tobacco products on cerebrovascular health. His work spans from fundamental in vitro modeling techniques to translational studies examining the effects of smoking and vaping on stroke outcomes, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative processes. A notable trend is his investigation of potential protective agents like metformin against tobacco-induced cerebrovascular damage, reflecting his interest in identifying therapeutic countermeasures.

Dr. Cucullo has built a strong research portfolio funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the FDA, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. His work involves mentoring students and collaborators in neurovascular research, with numerous publications co-authored with junior researchers across multiple institutions.

Dr. Cucullo directs research efforts toward developing microfluidic systems incorporating all the biological features of the DIV-BBB into high-throughput platforms suitable for primary and translational research. His laboratory work focuses on creating advanced in vitro models of the neurovascular unit to study cerebrovascular disorders and test potential therapeutic interventions.