Overview

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I am an assistant professor with a scientific background in cardiovascular physiology along with medicinal plant research and phytochemistry. I intend to take the investigation of herbal supplements, nutritional components, and plant mixtures and compounds forward by researching their bioactivity in the context of chronic disease. My research addresses the alleviation of cardiovascular risk in those suffering from diabetes. I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Jane Reusch to acquire training in biomedical research techniques and cellular and molecular biology using animal models of disease. I have investigated the integrated role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and mitochondria in vascular health and have applied medicinal plants and bioactive compounds toward supporting these cellular lynchpins. Recent work has described the potential for natural products to reinforce glucose homeostasis in concert with physiological vascular reactivity, in part by support eNOS activity and thus mitochondrial function. As part of my plan for a career dedicated to serving those with diabetes, I have continued the investigation of cellular signaling and redox homeostasis in the diabetic vasculature, with an emphasis on plant compounds and natural products as potential modulators of specific cellular homeostasis.