The primary mission of our laboratory is to deliver robust scientific education and training to the emerging generation of scientists specializing in the fields of skeletal muscle physiology and environmental physiology. Our research is primarily focused on two key domains: skeletal muscle physiology concerning both health and disease, as well as environmental physiology, with an emphasis on heat-related health issues. Within the "muscle physiology" sphere of our research, we are dedicated to uncovering the intricate mechanisms governing skeletal muscle dysfunction in conditions such as sepsis, particularly when compounded by physical inactivity. This dysfunction encompasses phenomena like muscle atrophy, weakness, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and lack of regeneration. In our "environmental physiology" branch, our principal aim is to unravel the underlying mechanisms that contribute to sex-based variations in response to exertional heat stroke, which represents the most severe form of heat-related illnesses. We are proud to highlight that our research projects have received critical support and funding from federal institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
Research Interests
- Skeletal muscle regeneration in sepsis
- Mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox biology
- Develop studies in cells, animal models, and human patients with sepsis
- Sex differences in response to extreme heat stress
Major Equipment
- Four Rodent Environmental Chambers (Powers Scientific)
- Aurora System for Ex-vivo Muscle Mechanics
- VitalView System to monitor core temperature in real time
- EVOS FL 7000 Auto Fluorescent Microscope
- Sterile cell culture suite with two CO2 incubators, BSL-2 safety cabinet
- Surgical suite for pre-clinical survival surgeries
- General molecular biology equipment for DNA, RNA, and protein analysis