Biography

I have worked in the area of heme oxygenase (HO) research for over 3 decades focusing on the pathophysiology of the HO system in hypertension, diabetes and, most recently, the metabolic syndrome. I am presently studying the molecular mechanisms governing the interplay between lipid autacoids, adiponectin and the HO system in the regulation of adipocyte function in obesity induced-hypertension. I have extensive experience in experimental approaches of gene and stem cell therapy. My experience in stem cell biology goes back to my discovery in 1982 of the role of HO in bone marrow stem cell and stromal cell (mesenchymal stem cells) function. My record of success and productivity in the area of HO in hypertension and cardiovascular disease goes back to the first paper published on this topic in Science (1989). Mentoring is a critical element of this proposal and I bring considerable mentoring experience. I have successfully mentored undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral and clinical fellows and junior faculty for more than 35 years. Many of these individuals have attained positions of leadership including departmental chairs, full professorships, chiefs of clinical departments and have achieved national and international recognition in their respective fields. As former chair of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Toledo, I was able to mentor junior and mid-level faculty and increased their success rate when applying for NIH funding. I have the necessary experience and expertise to insure the success of this COBRE application, which is designed to address the high incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in Appalachia populations