天美传媒

Amanda Jo LeBlanc, Ph.D. joined the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute in January of 2012 and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Louisville. Dr. LeBlanc has an extensive research background in cardiovascular physiology, focusing almost exclusively on myocardial perfusion and function in models of both aging and gender-specific cardiology. Dr. LeBlanc鈥檚 research focus is on myocardial and microvascular regenerative medicine in a model of advanced age, sex-specific coronary physiology, regulation of blood flow, cell-based delivery and therapeutics, adipose-derived cells and microvessels, fabrication of tissue-engineered patches, and neovessel formation, inosculation, and network maturation.

Before coming to CII for additional postdoctoral training, Dr. LeBlanc completed her primary postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Research at West Virginia University, where she had previously earned her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology in 2008. She received her B.S. in Exercise Science from Indiana University in 2002 and her M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Louisville in 2004.

The current projects in the LeBlanc laboratory: 1) reversing age-related coronary microvascular dysfunction through the use of an adipose-derived cell therapy, 2) determining how thrombospondin-1 signaling and reactive oxygen species generation contributes to the age-related decline in coronary flow reserve, and 3) identify circulating biomarkers and aberrant microvascular signaling processes related to patients with microvascular angina.

Assistant Professor
Clinical Assistant Professor
Assistant Scientist
Assistant Scientist
Director, Leukemia Molecular Epidemiological Resource Core
Clinical Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Physiology
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine - Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Education
BS, Biology, University of California
PhD, Philosophy, Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Wisconsin

The long-term goal of our research program is to elucidate mechanisms of obesity-associated coronary microvascular dysfunction and thereby identify novel pathways and therapeutic targets to reduce cardiovascular complications in these patients. The central premise of our work is that coronary microvascular dysfunction and the resultant impairment of coronary blood flow control is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in obese, diabetic patients. Impaired coronary microvascular function is estimated to account for more than 60% of cardiac perfusion defects in patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, coronary microvascular dysfunction is a significant contributor to impaired cardiac function, ischemia, infarct, and mortality in these patients.

Current projects in the laboratory focus on the role of the aldosterone-binding mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) as a mediator of coronary and cardiac dysfunction in obesity. A growing body of evidence has implicated MR signaling in vascular cells as an important mediator of vascular and cardiac dysfunction in various disease states. Our studies utilize an integrative combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches including cell/tissue culture and clinically relevant mouse models coupled with molecular techniques.

Bio:
Born Hanover, NH, B.A. Chemistry Duke University 1972, PhD Physiology, University of Minnesota 1981, postdoc Pulmonary Medicine, UCLA 1980-1986, faculty USD School of Medicine 1986-present

Teaching Interests:
physiology (both basic and advanced), introductory biology for future elementary teachers, biomedical ethics, teaching fundamentals for graduate students, membrane transport, nerve and muscle physiology, XDIS, FYE

Research Interests:
how to improve student learning using innovative and active pedagogy, review articles of scientific concepts for the lay public

Education:
Ph D, physiology, University of Minnesota, 1981
BA, chemistry, Duke University, 1972
Grants:
SD BRIN Bridge Funding, National Institutes of Health. (2014 - 2015)
SPURA - Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Addiction, NIH/NIDA. Grant Role: Co-Principal. (2013 - 2018)
SPURA - Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Addiction, NIH/NIDA. Grant Role: Co-Principal. (2013 - 2018)
RCN-UBE Incubator: Growing a Physiology Education Community of Practice, National Science Foundation. Grant Role: Co-Principal. (2013 - 2014)
South Dakota Science and Mathematics Teacher Enhancement: Integrating Math and Science and Using Topical Issues in Science Instruction, SD Board of Regents and US Dept of Education. Grant Role: Co-Principal. (2011 - 2012)
Science and Mathematics Instruction In Context for South Dakota in the 21st Century, SD Board of Regents and US Dept of Education. Grant Role: Co-Principal. (2010 - 2011)
Supplement to SD BRIN for undergraduate and high school researchers, NIH. (2009 - 2010)
SD Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network Supplemental, NIH. Grant Role: Principal. (2001 - 2014)
IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, NIH. Grant Role: Principal.
RCN-UBE Incubator: Growing a Physiology Education Community of Practice, National Science Foundation.

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Frans H.H. Leenen received his PhD and MD from the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.  He completed his residencies in internal medicine and cardiology at the University of Utrecht Medical School and teaching hospitals.  He obtained postdoctoral research training at the University of Utrecht and the University of Pittsburgh.  Dr. Leenen is currently Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Ottawa School of Medicine, and Director of the Hypertension Unit at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Recent Publications

Huang BS, Leenen FHH. The brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: a major mechanism for sympathetic hyperactivity and LV remodeling and dysfunction post MI. Current Heart Failure Reports 6:81-88, 2009.
Leenen FHH.  The central role of the brain aldosterone-鈥渙uabain鈥� pathway in salt sensitive hypertension.  Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Special Issue 鈥淢olecular Basis of Disease Arterial Hypertension鈥�  1082:1132-1139, 2010.
Leenen FHH, McInnis MH, Fodor G.  Obesity and the Prevalence and Management of Hypertension in Ontario.  American Journal of Hypertension 23:1000-1006, 2010.
Leenen FHH, Schiffrin EL.  Control rates of Hypertension in North America.  Editorial Commentary, Hypertension 56:571-572, 2010.
Huang BS, Ahmadi S, Ahmad M, White RA, Leenen FHH.  Central neuronal activation and pressor responses induced by circulating ANG II:  Role of brain aldosterone-鈥渙uabain鈥� pathway.  American Journal of Physiology  299:H422-H430, 2010
McAlister FA, Wilkins K, Joffres M, Leenen FHH, Fodor G, Gee M, Tremblay MS, Walker R. Johansen H, Campbell N.  Changes in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates in Canada over the past two decades.  Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183:1007-1013, 2011.
Present Research Group

Research Associates

Monir Ahmad, MD
Hong-Wei Wang, MD PhD
Bing Huang, MD, PhD

Education: PhD 1999, Baylor College of Medicine
Specialty: cardiovascular sciences
Major interest: myocardial infarction-induced cardiac wound healing
Affiliations: Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College; Research Biologist, Nashville VA Medical Center; Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Citations: 13,470; h-index: 62
Research interests: extracellular matrix, cardiac remodeling, aging, inflammation, fibrosis

Professor in the Kinesiology department at Pennsylvania State University

Education
Penn State University
Penn State University
Degree NameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)Field Of StudyVascular Aging and Exercise
Dates attended or expected graduation2015 鈥� 2019

Audrey A. Vasauskas, PhD, serves as Director of Research & Grant Development and Associate Professor of Physiology. Dr. Vasauskas obtained her Bachelor of Science in biology from Mount Saint Mary鈥檚 University in Maryland. She earned her PhD and completed post-doctoral training from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Dr. Vasauskas has been the recipient of several extramural research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. She has also served as a science policy and research advocate to the United States Congress. Dr. Vasauskas has been teaching cell and system physiology for over a decade and has mentored many undergraduate, graduate and medical students both in academia and industry. Prior to her career in academia, she spent several years in the biotechnology industry as project leader for oncology diagnostic development. During her time at ACOM, she has served as Research Committee chair and principal investigator. Dr. Vasauskas鈥檚 current research includes the molecular changes that occur within endothelial cells in the pathology known as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Specifically, her NIH-funded research investigates potential players in endothelial to mesenchymal transition, or the process by which endothelial cells transition to a smooth muscle, constrictive phenotype.

About
I am an Instructor of Anatomy and Physiology and Pathophysiology. I enjoy communicating science to diverse audiences.

I believe in creating equal access and opportunity for everyone interested in STEM. I am involved in the efforts of my College's Inclusion and Diversity committee and am Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the American Physiological Society.

Specialties: physiology, pathophysiology, science communication 

Dr. Tim Musch, Professor in Kinesiology, was named a University Distinguished Professor. He was also chosen for the 2018 Environmental and Exercise Physiology Honor Award from the American Physiologic Society. This award recognizes previous or current primary member of the EEP Section who has made significant research contributions to the scientific advancement of environmental, exercise, thermal, or applied physiology while making significant contributions to enhancing the objectives of the Section.

Research Interests:
Coronary heart disease
Chronic heart failure

Education:
PhD., 1991. Zoology. University of British Columbia
M.S., 1985. Biology. Portland State University
B.S., 1980. Biology. Lewis and Clark College

Research Physiologist Tactical Combat Casualty Care Research, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research

Dr. Carmen Hinojosa-Laborde is a native of San Antonio, TX. After postdoctoral training in Wisconsin and Iowa, Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde and her husband returned to San Antonio to raise their two children. She joined the Research Faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio in 1992. During her academic career, her research focused on sex differences in blood pressure regulation with an emphasis on hypertension and aging.

After 17 years at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde was recruited to join the scientific community at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) in 2009. As a government scientist, Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde鈥檚 current research focuses on the pathophysiology of hemorrhage.

Career path
Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde was recruited to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research because of her experience as an integrative scientist. While the environment in a government lab was very different from academia, Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde was excited about the opportunity to re-direct the focus of her research to support the military effort to care for the combat wounded. Since joining the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde has experienced a great sense of satisfaction in her research and honor in the knowledge that she is contributing to the health care of U.S military members.

Opportunities
Dr. Hinojosa-Laborde is willing to interact with students to discuss opportunities in U.S. Military Research and discuss differences between academic and government research laboratories.

Adjunct Professor, Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
Affiliated Professor, Biological Sciences, Cognitive and Learning Sciences
PhD, Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University
BS, Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University

Research Interests
Autonomic and Cardiovascular Control in Humans
Neurovascular Responses to Mental Stress
Sleep and Autonomic Activity in Humans
Sex Differences and Sympathetic Activity
Aerobic and Anaerobic Balance in Elite Athletes

Gisele A Oda received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Physics from the University of S茫o Paulo in 1990, 1992 and 1998, respectively. From 1999 to 2000, she was a posdoc in the Center for Biological Timing, University of Virginia. From 2001 to 2006, she was a posdoc in Physics at the University of S茫o Paulo. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physiology at the Institute of Biosciences, University of S茫o Paulo. Her research interests include: Chronobiology, Comparative Physiology, Nonlinear Dynamics.