USA Department of Physiology & Cell Biology Faculty
Academic Faculty
Troy Stevens, Ph.D.
Lenoir Louise Locke Chair of Physiology and Cell Biology
Professor
Ph.D.: Colorado State University
Post-doctoral: University of Colorado
Phone: (251) 460-6056
tstevens@southalabama.edu
Lab Focus
The Stevens lab has had a long-standing interest in mechanisms pertaining to endothelial cell heterogeneity, particularly in the lung. Our work focuses on molecular mechanisms that account for unique endothelial cell behaviors in pulmonary artery, capillary and vein endothelium. Chief among these interests is a systematic study of: barrier function, neo-angiogenesis, vasoreactivity, and site-specific host-pathogen interactions, not only pertaining to how microorganisms interact with endothelium along the vascular axis, but how toxins access intracellular compartments and uniquely modify the behavior of pulmonary artery, capillary and vein endothelium. A principal goal of these studies is to understand how vascular disease manifests in discrete vascular locations and resolve novel molecular signatures that can be exploited to target therapy to the appropriate vascular site.
Lab Team
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Linn Ayers
Research Technologist IIIJessica Bell
Research Technologist IIIAnna Koloteva
Research Technician IIChun Zhou
Research Associate IIKeith Battle
Graduate Student
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Althea deWeever
Graduate StudentMeredith Gwin
Graduate StudentClaire Kolb
Graduate StudentSunita Subedi Paudel
Graduate Student
Mikhail Alexeyev, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Postdoctoral Studies: Texas Heart Institute
Ph.D.: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev
Lab Focus
As the principal sites of cellular energy generation, mitochondria are intricately involved in all cellular processes in both health and disease. Virtually all diseases are accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, but mitochondrial dysfunction features most prominently in a group of so-called mitochondrial disorders. These disorders have been recognized for less than for decades, and thus far, no cure or effective treatment is available. A significant fraction of these disorders are caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the only DNA found in human cells outside of the nucleus.
Animal models are instrumental for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutic modalities. The current lack of effective treatments for mitochondrial disease is directly attributable to the unavailability of faithful mouse models of mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in mtDNA.
Therefore, my lab鈥檚 focus is on improving our understanding of mtDNA maintenance, replication and mutagenesis, and using this newly acquired understanding towards generating mouse models of mitochondrial disease. We seek to uncover the genetic determinants of the Interspecies Barrier for mtDNA Replication (IBMDR), which will allow us to reconstitute a human electron transport chain in mice. The resulting 鈥渉umanized鈥� mice could be used as a novel, faithful platform for modeling human mitochondrial diseases using patients鈥� blood as a source of mutant mtDNA.
Lab Team
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Natalya Kozhukhar
Research Technologist III
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Viktoriya Pastukh
Research Assistant II
Stephen T. Ballard Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
B.S.: North Carolina State University
M.S.: University of Kentucky
Ph.D.: University of North Carolina
Thiago Bruder, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ph.D.: Medical School of Ribeirao Preto 鈥� University of S茫o Paulo, Brazil
Postdoctoral: Augusta University
Lab Focus
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. It includes a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Various factors, including lifestyle choices, genetics, and other health conditions, contribute to its prevalence, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.
The Bruder lab is committed to investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of CVD, as well as discovering both therapeutic and non-therapeutic approaches to mitigate its effects. Our research primarily focuses on the endothelium and its derived factors in regulating vascular tone, inflammation, remodeling, and end-organ damage. We also examine the interactions between vascular cells and the immune system to identify key molecules involved in this communication and the onset of CVD.
To accomplish our goals, we employ advanced techniques to evaluate vascular function, structure, and blood pressure, alongside various molecular methods for manipulating gene expression and conducting omics analyses. Additionally, we utilize genetically engineered mouse models to gain deeper insights into these cellular and molecular processes.
Our research is organized into two main areas: arterial hypertension and Kawasaki disease. Below, you will find detailed information on each of these projects, along with related publications.
Arterial Hypertension
Arterial hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This can occur when the heart pumps more blood than usual or when the arteries narrow and resist blood flow. Persistent hypertension can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other complications. It is typically diagnosed through blood pressure readings, and management often includes lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of associated health problems.
Our lab is dedicated to understanding the autocrine endothelial mechanisms that regulate blood pressure. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) in 2023, we showed that progranulin, a key molecule involved in neuroplasticity, plays a crucial role in controlling vascular function and blood pressure by directly influencing endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. Additionally, we found that CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 are significant contributors to aldosterone-induced hypertension, vascular injury, and renal damage, with our findings featured on the cover of Hypertension in April 2024. Currently, we aim to identify the molecular factors produced during arterial hypertension that may have harmful or protective effects on cardiovascular health.
Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is a rare but serious inflammatory condition that predominantly affects children. It leads to inflammation in the walls of blood vessels throughout the body, including the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
Using a mouse model of Kawasaki disease that closely mimics human vasculitis, we aim to clarify the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the progression of this condition. Recently, we made a significant observation that endothelial dysfunction occurs before the onset of severe vasculitis, suggesting that endothelial cells may be the primary targets of the disease. For more information, please refer to our manuscript published in Shock in 2023. Our lab is now concentrating on understanding how endothelial cells detect and contribute to the development of vasculitis.
If you would like to learn more about our research or are interested in trainee opportunities in our lab, please contact Dr. Bruder at tbruder@southalabama.edu.
Lab Team
Ariane Bruder, Research Associate II
Rafael M. Costa, Postdoctoral Fellow
Renata Azevedo M. Luvizotto Nascimento, Visiting Scholar
Andre F. Nascimento, Visiting Scholar
Michael V. Cohen, M.D.
Professor
M.D.: Harvard Medical School
Cardiology Fellowship: Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, MA
Phone: 251-460-6812
Fax: 251-460-6464
mcohen@southalabama.edu
James M. Downey Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Ph.D.: University of Illinois
Postdoctoral Studies: Harvard Medical School
Phone: 251-460-6818
Fax: 251-460-6386
jdowney@southalabama.edu
Christopher M. Francis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
B.S.: Physics, Auburn University
Ph.D.: Physiology, 性世界传媒
Postdoc: Physiology and Cell Biology, 性世界传媒
Phone: (251) 460-7004
michaelfrancis@southalabama.edu
Lab Team
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Takreem Aziz
Graduate Student
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Jennifer Knighten
Graduate Student
Ji Young Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Medical Degree: Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
Residency: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY
Fellowship: 性世界传媒 College of Medicine
Postdoctoral Studies: 性世界传媒 College of Medicine
Lab Focus
pH homeostasis is critical to normal cell function. My laboratory studies fundamental mechanisms of pH regulation in pulmonary endothelial cells, with a broad aim to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to treat pulmonary vascular diseases.
Lab Team
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Ian Garrison
Medical StudentMary Kash
Medical Student
Mike T. Lin, Ph.D.
Professor
B.S.: Biochemistry, University of British Columbia
Ph.D.: Physiology, Loma Linda University
Postdoc: Oregon Health and Science University
Lab Focus
The Lin laboratory currently studies the lung-brain axis. We focus on the mechanism and disease progression that initiate in the lung and result in neurological deficits. Our work highlights the significant number of patients who suffer from neurocognitive problems in the aftermath of their recovery from a primary lung infection.
Lab Team
Chung-sik Choi
Research Associate II
Thomas M. Lincoln, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Ph.D.: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Postdoctoral Studies: Vanderbilt University
Phone: 251-460-6428
Fax: 251-460-6967
tlincoln@southalabama.edu
Jamie Meegan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ph.D: University of South Florida
Postdoctoral: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lab Focus
Our lab aims to identify novel signaling mechanisms regulating microvascular endothelial hyperpermeability during sepsis that have potential to be targeted therapeutically for the prevention or treatment of sepsis-induced organ dysfunction.
Lab Team
Vivian Eberly, Research Technologist I
James C. Parker, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Ph.D.: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Postdoctoral Studies: University of Mississippi
Phone: 251-460-6826
Fax: 251-460-6464
jparker@southalabama.edu
Kayla V. Pavlick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ph.D.: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Dr. Pavlick is also an assistant professor in the Division of Medical Education. Her duties include the design and delivery of the pre-clerkship phase curriculum linked to the anatomical sciences with a focus on neuroscience. In addition, she focuses on ways to improve medical education for both students and faculty through the implementation of modern pedagogical practices and learning theory.
Sarah Sayner, Ph.D.