Molecular Medicine and Translational Science Graduate Program Faculty Research Interests

Molecular Medicine and Translational Science Graduate Program Faculty

Adjunct faculty identified by * are available for committee service but not lab rotations.

Cancer Biology

Investigators in cancer biology use molecular approaches to study the underlying mechanisms of cancer and factors that contribute to tumor progression. Examples include identification of cancer susceptibility genes, genetic variation in tumor formation, DNA damage and repair pathways, cancer immunology and carcinogens.

Akman, Steven, MD  * - DNA damage, mutagenesis and genomic instability 

Cui, Zheng, PhD, MD – Lipid signaling in apoptosis and carcinogenesis; cancer resistance in murine models

Debinski, Waldemar, MD, PhD - Identification of molecular markers/targets that are specific to brain tumors and are pharmaceutically tractable

Dubey, Purnima, PhD – Cellular anti-tumor immune responses in mice/ prostate cancer biology

Furdui, Cristina, PhD - Dynamic analysis of signaling events (protein phosphorylation and oxidation) at molecular and cellular level using quantitative, mass spectrometry based proteomics experiments; rapid enzyme kinetics. http://www.signalingnetworks.com/

Gmeiner, William H., PhD– Developing novel cytotoxic oligodeoxynucleotides for treatment of prostate cancer, DNA structure in carcinogenesis and chemotherapy

Inoue, Kazushi, MD, PhD – Regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, and animal models of human cancer

Kucera, Greg, PhD * - Synthesis and testing of novel chemotherapeutic agents

Kulik, George, PhD - Signal transduction regulating apoptosis of prostate cancer cells

Miller, Mark, PhD, MA – Molecular pathogenesis and chemoprevention of lung cancer 

Mintz, Akiva MD, PhD , - Developing and delivering novel tumor-targeted scaffolding to deliver molecular radiation and immunotherapies to infiltrating brain tumor cells

Pettenati, Mark, PhD * - Cytogenetics and chromosomal abnormalities in cancer

Schwartz, Gary, PhD, MPH – Role of vitamin D in the etiology, treatment and prevention of prostate cancer 

Torti, Frank, MD  – Role of iron and ferritin dysregulation in cancer development

Torti, Suzy, PhD - Regulation of iron metabolism in normal and transformed cells

Townsend, Alan, PhD – Mechanisms of resistance to cytotoxic and mutagenic agents; enzymes of glutathione metabolism; chemoprevention of cancer; oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses

Vaughn, James P., PhD * - Effects of BRCA1 expression on gene transcription and repair

Xu, Jianfeng, MD, MSc, MPH, DRPH – Prostate cancer gene mapping

Cardiovascular Health and Disease

These investigators use molecular methods to investigate mechanisms related to diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including those that affect specific organs such as the brain, kidney, or placenta. Research areas include hypertension, circulation, cardiac function, coagulation, atherosclerosis, and aging.

Applegate, William, MD, MPH * - Assessing cognitive, emotional and physical function in older adults; carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with heart disease. 

Brosnihan, K. Bridget, PhD, MS – Role of Ang 1-7 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia 

Carr, Jeff, MD * - Breast cancer and cardiovascular imaging and public health functional genetics

Chappell, Mark, PhD – Regulatory role of renin-angiotensin system in development of salt-dependent hypertension and tissue organ injury

Cheng, Che-ping, MD, PhD – Cardiac dynamics, cellular signal transduction, and molecular alterations in CHF and alcoholic cardiomyopathy 

Eckman, Delrae, PhD - Effect of antenatal steroids on fetal and adult cardiovascular development; Effect growth hormone and PPAR agonists on cerebral vascular function; and on insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome in aging rats

Ferrario, Carlos M, MD - New endocrine mechanisms and the renin-angiotensin system in hypertension 

Furdui, Cristina, PhD - Dynamic analysis of signaling events (protein phosphorylation and oxidation) at molecular and cellular level using quantitative, mass spectrometry based proteomics experiments; rapid enzyme kinetics 

Geary, Randolph, MD - Artery wall remodeling in response to atherosclerosis and arterial injury; Restenosis following vascular reconstruction; Bioengineering of blood vessels; Functional genomics in artery wall biology

Hantgan, Roy, PhD - Integrin structure and function; molecular and cellular mechanisms of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis; conformation of proteins in solution 

Herrington, David, MD, MHS * - The role of estrogen in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women 

Hundley, Gregory, MD * - Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cardiac function

Kim-Shapiro, Daniel, PhD - The effects of Nitric Oxide and Aggregation in biological systems in relation to Sickle Cell Disease

King, Bruce, PhD - oxidative chemistry of N-hydroxyureas, formation of nitric oxide or nitroxyl (HNO)

Parks, John, PhD – High density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism; Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase, Lipids, Botanical Lipids, Triglyceride Metabolism and Atherosclerosis 

Smith, Thomas L., PhD - Effects of exercise and PPAR? agonists on myocardial performance; Tissue engineered peripheral nerve conduits in mice; Regulation of neuromuscular function at the cellular level 

Yu, Liqing, MD, PhD - Traffic and Metabolism of Cholesterol and Other Sterols, Lipoprotein Metabolism, Atherosclerosis, Obesity and Diabetics

Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders (lipids, proteins, vitamins, renal function)

Research in these laboratories investigate molecular mechanisms of diabetes, diabetes related genes, hyperlipidemic diseases, coagulation, obesity, and renal function, often applying knockout models to investigate gene function.

Antinozzi, Peter A., PhD - Functional mapping of diabetes-susceptibility genes; functional mapping of complex diseases.

Bowden, Donald W., PhD - Identification of genes contributing to type 2 diabetes and the renal and cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes

Crouse, John Robin, MD  * - Lipids, nutrition, and interrelationships of atherosclerosis and of risk factors for cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular, and coronary artery disease with an emphasis on non-invasive imaging of vascular disease

Chilton, Ski, PhD- The role of fatty acid metabolism in human diseases; function of botanical lipids as dietary supplements 

DuBose, Thomas, MD - Regulation of renal transporters; Potassium balance; Molecular description of transporters responsible for urinary acidification; Expression and molecular regulation of non-gastric H+,K+-ATPases in kidney and distal colon, aldosterone deficiency and excess; Renal tubular acidosis; Clinical acid-base and electrolyte disorders

Eckman, Delrae, PhD - Effect of antenatal steroids on fetal and adult cardiovascular development; Effect growth hormone and PPAR agonists on cerebral vascular function; and on insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome in aging rats

Rich, Stephen, MS, PhD * - The basic mechanisms that predispose to, and protect from, common disease in humans (diabetes, vascular disease and stroke) using a combination of statistical genetic and genetic epidemiological approaches

Wagner, Janice D., PhD - The role of hormonal influences on the cellular and biochemical aspects of atherosclerosis 

Weinberg, Richard B., MD - Structure and function of human apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV); biophysical aspects of lipid-protein interactions, lipoprotein metabolism, dietary effects on human lipid metabolism, diet-gene interactions

Genomics and Clinical Genetics

These scientists explore the contribution of specific genes to both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. A major focus is on the experimental manipulation of genes and gene expression in human populations, animal models, and cell-based systems with analyses of phenotypic consequences. All studies are facilitated by advanced, high-throughput technologies in combination with functional computational analysis.

Antinozzi, Peter A., PhD - Functional mapping of diabetes-susceptibility genes; functional mapping of complex diseases 

Bleecker, Eugene, MD - Genetics of allergy, asthma and complex diseases; Pathogenesis of asthma and chronic air flow obstruction, airways hyperresponsiveness and bronchial inflammation; Pharmacologic interventions in obstructive pulmonary diseases

Bowden, Donald, PhD - Genetics of common diseases with emphasis identification of genes contributing to type 2 diabetes and the renal and cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes

Christ, George, PhD - Functional Genomics; establishing a verifiable link between changes in gene expression and alterations in cell/organ/tissue function/dysfunction applied to understanding, diagnosis and treatment of smooth muscle diseases/disorders

Fetrow, Jacquelyn S., PhD - Computational biophysics, structural genomics of proteins, redox signal transduction pathway modeling, systems biology

Hawkins, Greg, PhD * - Molecular genetics of complex diseases; severe asthma risk and pharmacogenomics

Howard, Timothy D., PhD - Identification of genes for complex diseases, with a focus on cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases (asthma and allergy) 

Jewett, Tamison, MD * - Connective Tissue Disorders, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Dysmorphology

Meyers, Deborah, PhD - Gene mapping in common complex diseases and Mendelian disorders, ascertainment and characterization of relevant families, DNA genotyping, linkage and association analyses, positional cloning

Pettenati, Mark, PhD * - Molecular cytogenetics

Rich, Stephen, MS, PhD - The basic mechanisms that predispose to, and protect from, common disease in humans (diabetes, vascular disease and stroke) using a combination of statistical genetic and genetic epidemiological approaches

Ronca, April E., PhD   - Animal models of obstetric complications (birth asphyxia; prenatal stress); Perinatal epigenetic programming of neurodevelopmental disorders; Phenotypic developmental profiling of genetically and/or environmentally altered mice/rats.

Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases

These investigators utilize molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches to identify the processes that mediate host defense against invasive microbial or viral pathogens and similar mechanisms involved in inflammatory tissue injury. This includes identifying mechanisms by which immune cells respond to infection, host cell-pathogen interaction, and regulation of inflammatory mediators.

Alexander-Miller, Martha, PhD   - Regulation of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes; control of functional  avidity

Chilton, Ski, PhD  - The role of fatty acid metabolism in human diseases; function of botanical lipids as dietary supplements

Daniel, Larry, PhD - Metabolic pathways responsible for forming lipid-derived second-messengers and the mechanism of action of these mediators in cancer and inflammation 

Ferguson, Cristin, MD - Molecular Biology of Cartilage, Meniscus, Ligament Repair and Regeneration; Tissue Engineering; Growth Factors and Cell Signaling 

High, Kevin P., MD - Translational research of age-related changes in immune function, termed immune senescence

Loeser, Richard, MD – Lab: The cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis and the role of aging. Clinical: The genetics of osteoarthritis; exercise and weight loss interventions for osteoarthritis 

McCall, Charles E., MD - The molecular events that control the inflammatory components of innate immunity

McPhail, Linda, PhD - The molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase 

Mishra, Nilamadhab, MD - Epigenetics, chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, gene expression and identifying therapeutic targets by proteomics in lupus 

Seeds, Michael C., PhD - Inflammation and host defense in the lung; regulation of secretory phospholipases A2; differential regulation of granulocyte apoptosis 

Sheretz, Robert, MD * - Pathogenesis and prevention of vascular catheter infections; Mechanisms of transmission of nosocomial infections

Swords, W. Edward, PhD - Understanding how commensal bacteria and the host develop and maintain a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship; Cellular Microbiology of Airway Infections

Yoza, Barbara, PhD * - Deciphering the molecular events associated with the onset and progression of septic shock, particularly as it relates to the synthesis inflammatory mediators from cells of the blood

Neurological and Neuromuscular Function and Disorders

Faculty investigate molecular mechanism of stroke, neuromuscular disease, epilepsy, pediatric neurology and development, movement disorders, neuroplasticity, and neuro-rehabilitation. These laboratories employ a variety of genomic, physiologic, biochemical, pharmacological, dietary, and tissue engineering approaches to study disease treatment and prevention.

Delbono, Osvaldo, MD, PhD - Aging of the Neuromuscular System; reciprocal interaction between muscle cells and brain and spinal cord motor neurons

Eckman, Delrae, PhD - Effect of antenatal steroids on fetal and adult cardiovascular development; Effect growth hormone and PPAR agonists on cerebral vascular function; and on insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome in aging rats 

Eisenach, James, MD - Understanding neuroplasticity in the spinal cord as it relates to the pharmacology of analgesia

Mintz, Akiva MD, PhD , - Developing and delivering novel tumor-targeted scaffolding to deliver molecular radiation and immunotherapies to infiltrating brain tumor cells

Ronca, April E., PhD   - Animal models of obstetric complications (birth asphyxia; prenatal stress); Perinatal epigenetic programming of neurodevelopmental disorders; Phenotypic developmental profiling of genetically and/or environmentally altered mice/rats.

Smith, James, PhD * - Neuropsychopharmacology; neurobiological mechanisms of substance abuse; biological basis of reinforcement; functional neuropharmacology 

Tobin, Joseph, MD * - Spinal analgesic development and gender dimorphism in the spinal cord

Tytell, Michael, PhD,  - Stress protein response mediated by heat shock proteins as a mechanism that prevents damaged neurons from dying

Voytko, Mary Lou, PhD * - Neural basis of age-related cognitive dysfunction; women’s health; effects of ovarian hormones on cognitive and neurobiological profiles

Pulmonary Function and Disease 

Research in pulmonary medicine includes programs in airway smooth muscle and epithelial cell signal transduction, sequencing of genes associated with asthma and inflammation, disease-related phenotypes, and the response to medications used to treat these diseases. Other studies include phospholipase-mediated surfactant injury in asthma and ARDS and mechanisms regulating cell injury and death. Many of these studied involve human subjects.

Bleecker, Eugene, MD   - Genetics of allergy, asthma and complex diseases; Pathogenesis of asthma and chronic air flow obstruction, airways hyperresponsiveness and bronchial inflammation; Pharmacologic interventions in obstructive pulmonary diseases

Hawkins, Greg, PhD * - Molecular genetics of complex diseases; severe asthma risk and pharmacogenomics 

Hite, R. Duncan, MD - Critical care with specific emphasis in acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, ARDS, shock, sepsis and pneumonia; surfactant function and injury in ARDS

Howard, Timothy D., PhD - Identification of disease genes for complex diseases, with a focus on cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases

Meyers, Deborah, PhD - Gene mapping in common complex diseases as well as in Mendelian disorders, ascertainment and characterization of relevant families, DNA genotyping, linkage and association analyses, positional cloning and in analytical methods 

Morris, Peter, MD - The mechanisms of acute lung inflammation; clinical study design and administration

Seeds, Michael C., PhD - Inflammation and host defense in the lung; regulation of secretory phospholipases A2; differential regulation of granulocyte apoptosis

Swords, W. Edward, PhD - Understanding how commensal bacteria and the host develop and maintain a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship; Cellular microbiology of airway infections

Regenerative Medicine 

The mission of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is to harness the body’s ability to heal itself. Using biomaterials, genetic engineering, stem and progenitor cells, and tissue engineering modalities, the Institute investigates translational approaches ranging from gene and cell therapy to the replacement of damaged organs with engineered tissues.

Atala, Anthony, MD  - Tissue Engineering, Reconstructive Urology, Stem cells

Christ, George, PhD - Functional Genomics; establishing a verifiable link between changes in gene expression and alterations in cell/organ/tissue function/dysfunction applied to understanding, diagnosis and treatment of smooth muscle diseases/disorders 

Ferguson, Cristin, MD - Molecular Biology of Cartilage, Meniscus, Ligament Repair and Regeneration; Tissue Engineering; Growth Factors and Cell Signaling 

Geary, Randolph, MD - Artery wall remodeling in response to atherosclerosis and arterial injury; Restenosis following vascular reconstruction; Bioengineering of blood vessels; Functional genomics in artery wall biology

Lee, Sang Jin, PhD

Smith, Thomas L, PhD - Effects of exercise and PPAR? agonists on myocardial performance; Tissue engineered peripheral nerve conduits in mice; Regulation of neuromuscular function at the cellular level

Soker, Shay, PhD - Molecular and cellular biology of the vascular system; Stem and progenitor cell biology and genomics; angiogenesis

Van Dyke, Mark, PhD - Novel biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM); biomaterials derived from ECM; adult stem cells

Wilson, Patricia G., PhD   - Immunology/allergy/inflammation, model development, health services/training, animals, whole, basic mechanisms, human, cells only, cell growth, differentiation, nervous/sensory system/behavior, transplantation, epidemiology, gastrointestinal system, translational research, neurosciences/behavior 

Rheumatic Diseases

These investigators incorporate biochemical inhibitors, gene knockout technologies and transgenic approaches to human tissues and cell models to determine mechanisms of injury related to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), gout, scleroderma, and inflammatory muscle disorders.

Loeser, Richard, MD - Lab: The cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis and the role of aging. Clinical: The genetics of osteoarthritis; exercise and weight loss interventions for osteoarthritis

McGee, Maria, MD - Cell-mediated inflammation with emphasis on the biology of monocytes and macrophages 

Mishra, Nilamadhab, MD - Epigenetics, chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, gene expression and identifying therapeutic targets by proteomics in lupus