News
Alzheimer's disease wreaks emotional havoc on patients who are robbed of their memories, their dignity and their lives. It’s financially devastating as well: care for Alzheimer's patients is predicted to top $1 trillion by the time children born today are having children of their own.
Dr. Lisa Cassis talks about recent
significant achievements in UK's research enterprise (click here).
Recently published work by Drs. Gant, Blalock, Landfield and other colleagues was featured in The Scientist. Click here to read the story.
Click Here to access article online
When Alex Helman began her search for a doctoral program that would allow her to further her knowledge of neuroscience and conduct research on Alzheimer’s disease, she was surprised to add the University of Kentucky to her list.
Nearly half of Americans set some sort of resolution by Jan. 1; the top resolution in 2017 was to “lose weight/eat healthier.” Looking forward, many adults will probably continue with weight loss goals, as obesity rates reached an all-time high in October, at nearly 40 percent of adult Americans. But, I challenge you to make a different type of resolution for the coming year: a resolution for your gut bugs.
By Vice President for Research Lisa Cassis
This summer 17 undergraduate students came to UK to participate in and learn about biomedical-related research. They took part in two 10-week programs: Summer Undergraduate Research in Environmental Sciences (SURES) and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF).
SURES and SURF are directed by Hollie Swanson, a professor in the UK College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences.
Dr. Florin Despa was recently recognized at a reception honoring faculty promoted in UK’s College of Medicine. Dr. Despa is now a full Professor and among eleven other faculty achieving this rank in the college during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Congratulations to Dr. Sanda Despa who is the recipient of a new NIH R01 award entitled “Role of myocyte dysregulation in diabetic heart disease”. This ~$450K award from the National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is funded through July 2021.
Dr. Shuxia Wang was recently appointed to UK’s Biological Sciences Area Advisory Committee. This appointment comes directly from President Capilouto and Dr. Wang will serve in an advisory capacity to both the Provost and the President on matters regarding the appointment, promotion and tenure of faculty. Congratulations, Dr. Wang, on this distinct recognition.
The department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences' student association (NSPS) participated Saturday May 13th 2017 in the 2017 Central KY Heart Walk
They helped raise more than $500 for the cause and motivated 11 team members.
Congratulations to all that participated!
Organized by Drs. Loria and Yiannikouris.
Sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, SAHA Cardiovascular Research Center, and the Gill Heart Institute
Scheduled Speakers:
Dr. Jane F. Reckelhoff
An array of scientific evidence demonstrates a correlation between diets high in fat and cholesterol content and blockages in the arteries, which lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Yasir Al-Siraj, a Ph.D. candidate in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, is the lead author of a paper published in Circulation, a leading journal on cardiovascular medicine.
The article, “Female Mice with an XY Sex Chromosome Complement Develop Severe Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms,” was co-authored by UK colleagues Sean E. Thatcher, Richard Charnigo, Kuey Chen, Eric Blalock, Alan Daugherty and Lisa Cassis.
Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Our Graduate Students recently participated in the "Cards for Hospitalized Kids" drive. They channeled their artistic sides and hand made close to 50 holiday cards for sick children spending the holidays in the hospital.
The department is proud of its students for their time and kind efforts!
From left to rigtht top row: Heather Norman, Yasir Al-Siraj, Marion Coe, David
Schnell, Jared Hoffman
From left to rignt bottom row: Kaia Hampton, Courtney Turpin, Kaiyuan Tan, Jessie Hoffman and Nika Larian
The recent publication of the manuscript entitled "Current and Emerging Uses of Statins in Clinical Therapeutics: A Review" with my co-authors (Jonathan T. Davies, Spencer F. Delfino, Chad E. Feinberg, Meghan F. Johnson, Veronica L. Nappi, Joshua T. Olinger and Anthony P. Schwab) represents a milestone of a year-long, collaborative endeavor.
Nika Larian, a PhD student in Lisa Cassis's lab at the UK Superfund Research Center, is studying the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AHR, a transcription factor with roles in drug metabolism and detoxification. She explains that if you knock out AHR in the fat tissue of mice, you can prevent the development of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-induced diabetes. PCBs are toxins that are present in the environment and have been linked to type 2 diabetes.