Tyesha N Burks

Tyesha N Burks serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Bowie State University, teaching foundational biology courses including BIOL 102: Introductory Biology and BIOL 209: General Genetics, with plans to instruct BIOL 301: Human Hereditary. Her academic home within the university structure centers on natural sciences education and research.

Her educational trajectory includes a BS from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (2006), PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2011), and post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2016). This rigorous training established her expertise in aging biology and muscle physiology.

Dr. Burks' research program fundamentally investigates sarcopenia—the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function affecting all demographics. She pioneers work identifying pre-phenotypic molecular signaling modulations and discovering compounds that alter sarcopenia progression. Her approach integrates molecular pathway analysis, therapeutic intervention studies, and comparative physiology models to address critical gaps in understanding muscle aging mechanisms.

Publication trends from 2011-2016 reveal consistent focus on renin-angiotensin system modulation, TGF-β signaling in muscle atrophy, and pharmacological interventions (losartan/rapamycin). Her work bridges basic molecular mechanisms with translational applications, predominantly using rodent models to explore functional outcomes like grip strength and running capacity in aging contexts.

Her exceptional contributions have earned significant recognition:

• Diverse Issues in Higher Education 2017 Emerging Scholars Recognition (2016)
• National Institutes on Aging Butler-Williams Scholar (2013)
• Multiple Gerontological Society of America travel awards (2010-2015)
• American Aging Association travel fellowships (2010, 2013)
• World Muscle Society international awards (2010, 2012)

While specific grant details aren't documented, her award portfolio demonstrates sustained competitive funding for aging research. Professional affiliations with the Council on Undergraduate Research, American Aging Association, and Gerontology Society of America facilitate collaborative networks advancing her sarcopenia investigations. Though lab specifics aren't detailed, her publication patterns indicate active collaboration with Johns Hopkins researchers on muscle physiology projects.