Thomas A. Kocarek

Thomas A. Kocarek is a Professor at Wayne State University, affiliated with the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Detroit, Michigan. His research focuses on the regulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing gene expression and hepatic gene regulation by isoprenoids and sterols.

• Research Themes: Nuclear receptor signaling in drug metabolism, CYP enzyme regulation, SULT isoform ontogeny, and xenobiotic-lipid metabolism interactions
• Key Techniques: Primary hepatocyte cultures, Matrigel-based models, and nuclear receptor activation studies

Publication Trends (2013-2023): Interdisciplinary work spanning biochemistry, pharmacology, and inorganic chemistry, with recent emphasis on CYP3A4 active site monitoring and SULT developmental regulation. Earlier work established foundational knowledge in organochlorine pesticide effects on hepatocyte gene expression.

Academic Contributions: Longstanding collaboration with Dr. Melissa Runge-Morris on sulfotransferase systems, and significant publications in Drug Metabolism Reviews and Drug Metabolism and Disposition. Courses taught include Pharmacology Lecture, Advanced Toxicology, and Biomedical Neuropharmacology at graduate level.