Sean P. Marrelli

Dr. Sean P. Marrelli is a Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), where he serves as Director of the BRAINS Research Laboratory and Director of the MicroCT Imaging Facility. His research program is funded by multiple grants from the NIH and American Heart Association.

Dr. Marrelli received a BA in Chemistry from the University of Houston and then a PhD in Cardiovascular Sciences from Baylor College of Medicine. His laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms of cerebrovascular function in both healthy and pathological conditions.

Dr. Marrelli's research interests span several key areas in cerebrovascular science:

• Regulation of cerebral blood flow in healthy conditions and disease states (e.g., following ischemic stroke, in conditions of amyloidosis)
• Role of endothelial Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel in cerebral blood flow regulation
• Brain vascular remodeling in aging and pathology
• Novel methods of promoting therapeutic hypothermia following stroke

The Marrelli Lab employs a diverse range of experimental approaches, including laser speckle contrast imaging, microCT imaging, MRI, two-photon imaging, and various molecular and genetic techniques. The lab uses multiple transgenic mouse models to investigate cerebrovascular function and stroke pathology.

Dr. Marrelli also oversees the MicroCT Imaging Facility, which was established through an NIH S10 equipment grant (S10OD030336) for the purchase of a Bruker SkyScan 1276 microCT imaging system. This facility provides high-resolution ex vivo and in vivo 2D and 3D imaging capabilities for researchers.

Dr. Marrelli currently mentors several researchers, including a Research Associate, a GSBS Graduate Student Research Assistant, and multiple Research Assistants. His laboratory has produced significant publications in journals such as Scientific Reports, Stroke, and Journal of Neuroscience Research.