My principal research focus is the investigation contributions of chronic oxidative stress and metabolic imbalance as it pertains to development of obesity and diabetes with associated long-term complications. In this regard, I have looked at (dys) regulation of the cellular antioxidant defense system (i.e. the heme-heme oxygenase system) in pathophysiological states associated with chronic redox imbalance.
An equally exciting focus of my research entails examining HO-dependent regulation of eicosanoids and their physiological effects, particularly in the vasculature and perivascular adipocytes. My experimental systems include; animal models of hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome as well as in vitro models of human mesenchymal stem cells and mouse pre-adipocytes. These models aid in examining the use of molecular gene therapy and stem cell interventions that amplify the heme oxygenase system. Recently, I have shown that cellular overexpression of SIRT1 protects against pathophysiological effects of oxidative stress and am currently exploring the regulatory crosstalk between HO system and SIRT1.
In addition to my research in basic science I am also involved in clinical research. To date, our lab has collaborated with family medicine, cardiology, and pediatric departments to identify novel biomarkers for the early detection of metabolic syndrome, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and fatty liver in the West Virginia population.