Faculty Research Interests is a fully searchable database of information provided by faculty members about their current research interests. To search the database, enter a word or combination of words in the search box and press Enter or click on Search.

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Jeffrey Abt Associate Professor Art and Art History

I'm currently writing a book tentatively titled "A Scholar for Our Time: James. H. Breasted and Academic Entrepreneurship in Early Twentieth Century America and the Near East". Longer term projects include studies on the history of artists and museums and the interanimations of museums and religion.

Jocelyn Ang M.D. Pediatrics

Premature infants. Immunity and infection and the use of complimentary and alternative medicine.

Hermina Anghelescu Ph.D., Assistant Professor Library and Information Science Program

Access to Internet resources by non-English speaking populations. Access to information during the Cold War in developing countries.

Karen Aroain RN, Ph.D., Professor

Stress, coping and psycho-social adjustment in immigrant and minority populations. Mother-child (adolescent) relationships and adolescent adjustment. Cross-cultural research and developing culturally sensitive research measures.

Eishi Asano M.D., Assistant Professor Pediatrics and Neurology

Human brain mapping using EEG and neuroimaging. Localization of seizure focus in children with epilepsy.

Frank Baciewicz M.D., Associate Professor Surgery

Lung cancer: Effect of hyperbaric oxygen as adjunct to chemotherapy. Effect of cryotherapy on aortic aneurysm. Bivarfidin as an anticoagulation agent for cardiopulmonary bypass.

Heather Balog Ph.D., Assistant Professor Audiology and Speech Language Pathology

Developmental prosody; specifically interested in the development of intonation in early language acquisition and its relationship to the developmental processes of communicative intention, nonverbal behavior, and discourse interactions. Interested in the above areas as they relate to normal and disordered populations. Especially interested in the acquisition of these communicative features in infants and toddlers who are at risk for language disorders.

Alan Baptist Assistant Professor Internal Medicine

High risk asthmatics - outpatient clinic treatment and inpatient diagnosis and treatment.

Ellen Barton Ph.D., Professor Linguistics Program

Linguistic/discourse analysis of medical communication. Linguistic/discourse analysis of communication and ethics.

Erawati Bawle M.D., Division Chief Div of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism

Fetal alcohol syndrome. Causes of developmental delay and mental retardation.

Ramona Benkert Ph.D., Assistant Professor Adult Health

Racism and cultural mistrust in health care. Hypertension/diabetes outcomes. Nurse practitioner evaluation research. Patient satisfaction with care. Community based interventions. Communication in health care. Health disparities. Ethnicity and health. Health psychology. Patient-physician relations and communication in health care settings. Minority and immigrant health. Culture and health, cross-cultural communication. Disease etiology, care, treatment adherence.

Victor Berdichevsky Ph.D., Professor Mechanical Engineering

Statistical mechanics. Turbulence theory. Micromechanics. Variational methods. Homogenization theory.

Cathryn Bock Assistant Professor Internal Medicine

Cancer epidemiology, genetic epidemiology of cancer, focus on prostate cancer.

Peter Bodary Assistant Professor Nutrition and Food Science

I am interested in studying the mechanisms that link obesity and diabetes to an enhanced risk of cardiovascular complications. I am also very interested in the influence of energy balance on adipose tissue-derived proteins (such as adiponectin and leptin) and the subsequent effects of energy balance changes on cardiovascular health. My Ph.D. is from the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina where I was in the Department of Exercise Science. As a result I maintain great interest in the influence of physical activity and nutrition on health in both human populations and within studies of animal models of disease. My post-doctoral studies were performed in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan where I focused on genetic and pharmacologic manipulations that influence (mouse models of) cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis.

Stephanie Brock Ph.D., Assistant Professor Chemistry

Research efforts are centered on the synthesis of novel inorganic/solid state materials with unique and tunable properties, particularly low dimensional solids that may be valuable in advancing technologies such as information storage/transmission, sensors, energy storage/electrolytes, and catalysis.

Samuel C. Brooks Ph.D., Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's established laboratories - in breast cancer, research, chemistry, chemical carcinogenesis and immunology carry out research in molecular biology, developmental therapeutics, metastasis research, drug resistance, and genetics. The aim of the program is to develop a more comprehensive laboratory research effort representing various specialized fields in biology and chemistry, all working on fundamental aspects of the cancer problem. Research programs in Epidemiology are focused on the industrial and racial diversity of metropolitan Detroit. An important local and national resource for cancer research is maintained by the Epidemiology program: the population based Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System.

Joseph Calarco Ph.D., Professor Theatre

1. Collaboration in theatrical production. 2. Collaboration in possible film and digital video projects, including feature film.

Yu-Chung Norman Cheng Assistant Professor Radiology

My interests are in the fundamental research related to MRI. We apply physics and math knowledge in MRI in order to advance the research. To be more specific, my current research interest is to calculate the tissue susceptibilities from given MR images. It is one type of inverse approach. This is a great research challenge as one will need extensive knowledge in physics, mathematics, programming, and data analyses. The outcome of this research is to assist medical doctors distinguish abnormal tissues containing, for example, iron, from normal tissues. I am also interested in the design of MR coils and rf thermal ablation, which is not necessary to be performed with MRI.

Ann Marie Collins RN, Assistant Professor Family, Community Mental Health

Life experiences for adolescents and college age students.

Nicolas Cottaris Ph.D., Assistant Professor Ligon Research Center of Vision

Primate spatial and color vision, visual prostheses.

Ellen Dannin J.D., Professor Labor and Employment Law

Collective bargaining.

Gregory L. DeSilva M.D., Assistant Professor Otrhopedic Surgery

Mechanical testing of plates/screws used in the upper extremity. Load transfer/mechanics of upper extremity.

Alan A. Dombkowski Assistant Professor Institute of Environmental Health Science

We are using microarray technology to investigate global gene expression changes that occur in response to environmental insult and expression events related to the progression of disease. Statistical methodology are used to analyze the data and interpret the results in a biological proteins. We are currently applying this technology to investigations of breast cancer, DNA repair deficiencies, and cellular responses to various toxicants. Associated efforts include the analysis and modeling of transcriptional regulation. My research also includes the development of computational methods for protein structure analysis and protein engineering. Current projects include the development of software for the design of novel disulfide bonds in proteins. Disulfide engineering has been used to increase the stability of proteins and to assist investigations of protein dynamics and interactions.

Paula Dore-Duffy Ph.D., Professor Neurology

My basic interests are all dealing with the role played by the blood brain barrier in diseases of the nervous system. In that light, we are interested in cell-cell communication between the CNS microvascular pericyte and other cells particularly as they related to maintenance of homeostasis and hemostasis. We are interested in neuron-pericyte signaling and pericyte-endothelial cell signaling.

Elizabeth Dorn Assistant Professor, Ph.D. History

My current research focuses on moral and social reform in late 19th and early 20th century Japan. In particular, I am interested in the motivations, goals and activities of women, Christians, and Buddhists in campaigns against drinking and smoking, concubinage, and Japan's system of licensed prostitution. I also examine their relations with the state, their negotiations with American missionaries, their sense of identity, and the arguments they provided in support of their principles. After completing this research, I expect to investigate the involvement of Christians in Japanese colonialism and imperialism.

Brian Edwards Ph.D., Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Structural and functional analysis by x-ray diffraction of proteins involved in hemostasis, nucleotide biosynthesis, metal resistance, and cell signaling (chemokines).

Judith Fouladbakhsh Assistant Professor Family, Community and Mental Health

CAM health service providers, practice and product utilization in diverse populations: US cancer population; ethnic populations; geograhic populations (urban/rural); chronic disease populations (e.g. cardiac). CAM effectiveness research: cancer/chronic disease; pain management; other symptom management (fatigue, insomnia, depression).

Robert N. Frank M.D., Professor Ophthalmology

My research has dealt primarily with retinal vascular disease (diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration), but I've used lab techniques (cell culture, biochemistry, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry) as well as animal models. I have also been heavily involved in clinical trials and in epidemiologic research.

Philip Furspan Assistant Professor Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences

Pathophysiology of vascular smooth muscle. Past: I used the patch clamp and isolated muscle bath techniques to study the role of potassium channels in the pathogenesis and maintenance of hypertension. Present: I am using the isolated perfused microvessel apparatus to study the responsiveness of small human dermal veins and arteries from subjects with primary and secondary (associated with scleroderma) Raynaud's phenomenon. I am investigating the hypothesis that the cold-induced vasospasm characteristic of these conditions is related to alterations in protein tyrosine kinase contractile transduction pathways. I am also interested in applying this technique to the study of vascular abnormalities associated with pre-eclampsia and aging in humans.

Domenico Gatti M.D., Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Enzyme mechanisms, metabolism, structure based drug design, conformational changes in proteins.

Julie Gleason-Comstock Ph.D., CHES, Assistant Professor Family Medicine

Recently, Dr. Gleason has partnered with WSU faculty to examine issues around HIV and aging women, including access to clinical care and primary/secondary prevention. Results from a survey of medical school internal medicine residents showed those with more training felt more comfortable treating Persons Living with HIV (PLWH). Public health emergency preparedness is a new distance learning module developed by Dr. Gleason in collaboration with colleague Dr. Tim Spannaus from the College of Education. She and Dr. Spannaus received a WSU Innovative Instructional Technology Faculty Winter 2005 grant through the Provost?s Office to develop a simulated public health studies reinforcement game which has been incorporated into Masters of Public Health (MPH) classes.

Anupam Goel Assistant Professor Internal Medicine

Diabetes care delivery. Colon and breast cancer screening.

Antonio Gonzalez-Prendes Ph.D., Assistant Professor Social Work

My research interest is in the conceptualization and treatment of anger problems. This interest is defined by five themes: cognitive-behavioral theory and treatment, anger problems, mental health, chemical dependency, minority/disenfranchised populations. My main focus is where these five areas converge. I am particularly interested in two areas: 1) The development of theoretical models(s) to facilitate cognitive-based conceptualization of anger problems (i.e. specific cognitive themes or dimensions associated with the onset and maintenance of anger problems. 2) The development of cognitive-behavioral models for the treatment of anger problems across gender and cultural/ethnic/racial dimensions. I have done some research in these areas, and I am currently planning additional research to begin in the Fall of 2005 in collaboration with two community-based agencies.

Allen Goodman Ph.D., Professor Economics

Effects of alcohol and drug use and disorders on labor market outcomes. Costs of treating substance disorders. Cost effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses.

Daniel Grosu Ph.D., Assistant Professor Computer Science

Grid computing. Distributed systems. Parallel and distributed algorithms. Scheduling and load balancing. Electronic voting. Computer security. Topics at the border between computer science, game theory and economics.

YE. Mark Haacke Ph.D. Radiology

My main interests are in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: image reconstruction techniques, image processing and analysis, cardiovascular imaging, MR angiography, susceptibility imaging.

Xiaoyan Han Ph.D., Associate Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

Infrared imaging NDE. Materials characterization. Inversion problems. Imaging in life science. Image/signal processing. Fracture mechanics. Ultrasonics, chaos. Vibration.

Patricia A. Jarosz Ph.D., Assistant Professor Adult Health

Weight management and obesity prevention. Eating disorders in the obese: night eating syndrome, binge eating disorder. Eating behaviors. Opioids and food intake and metabolism.

Song Jiang Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

Computer file/storage system. I/O intensive applications. Operating systems, especially Linux OS.

Glenn W. Kaatz M.D., Professor Infectious Diseases

My laboratory studies multi-drug efflux pump-related resistance in S. aureus. We employ both clinical and laboratory-devised drug resistant mutants looking for new drug pumps. We also have collaborations with several European groups evaluating possible inhibitors of these multi-drug pumps in S. aureus and other genera.

Ladislau Kovari Ph.D., Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

HIV/AIDS.

Renu A. Kowluru Associate Professor Ophthalmology

My primary research interest is in the area of diabetic complications. We have been investigating the biochemical abnormalities that lead to microvascular disease in diabetes mellitus. The goal of our research is to clarify pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and to provide a rational basis for developing improved means to inhibit the retinopathy. The research has modalities, either via chemical or molecular biological approaches, to prevent the onset of retinopathy.relied chiefly on animal models to investigate the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, and isolated retinal endothelial cells in culture to dissect the sequence of events of hyperglycemia and capillary cell death. Our research work has provided fresh insights into possible mechanisms (including oxidative stress and inflammation) whereby hyperglycemia induces retinal cell death and the onset of retinopathy. We aspire to identify specific gene products and the relevant signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy. Our long term goals are to use such data for the development of therapeutic intervention modalities, either via chemical or molecular biological approaches, to prevent the onset of retinopathy.

Helene Krouse Ph.D., Professor Adult Health

Impact of asthma on psychomotor function and quality of life in urban populations. Interventions designed to enhance self monitoring and treatment decisions related to asthma outcomes. Chronic illness and disturbances in sleep that impact daytime function.

Omer Kucuk M.D. Oncology

I am interested in the potential benefits of nutritional agents and phytochemicals in cancer prevention and treatment.

Tuan H. Kuo Ph.D., Professor Pathology

Mechanism of cell death relating to cardiovascular disease and cancer. How anti-death protein protects cell from apoptosis.

Ming-Chia Lai Ph.D., Professor Mechanical Engineering

Fuel cell, fuel reforming. Spray, combustion, energy conversion. Bio-fluid mechanics. Drug delivery. Renewable energy

Lawrence D. Lemke Ph.D., Assistant Professor Geology Environmental Science Program

My research seeks to assess uncertainty in subsurface transport predictions resulting from the adoption of spatial variability models associated with: a) alternative conceptual geologic models; b) alternative geostatistical algorithm choices; and c) simultaneous variation of multiple independent and dependent aquifer properties. I am interested in quantifying the affects of such modeling decisions on transport of both dissolved (aqueous phase) and immiscible (nonaqueous phase) contaminants. In my current research, I am investigating the field-scale variability of aquifer systems. Finally, I have a general interest in bridging the gaps between academic, industrial and governmental approaches to solve issues of natural resource management and environmental concern.

Jun Li M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor Neurology

P21-activated kinase function in the peripheral nerve myelination and degeneration. Pathophysiological mechanism of conduction block. Pathogenesis of inherited neuropathies. Utility of skin biopsy in the studies of inherited neuropathies. Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus paralysis.

Shiyong Lu Ph.D., Assistant Professor Computer Science

XML database and the semantic Web. Database security. Transaction processing and workflow management. Bioinformatics and medical applications.

David Magidson Ph.D., Professor Theatre

I am interested in documenting the place of arts and culture in the economic and non-economic aspects of our lives. I would like to have help designing real-world models that insure funding for the arts and to develop ways of legislating that will enable us to have money regardless of the economy.

Saroj P. Mathupala Ph.D., Assistant Professor Neurological Surgery and Karmanos Cancer Institute

Biochemical and cell biological analysis of aberrant metabolic behavior of highly malignant tumors. Identification of small molecule drugs to target the aberrant metabolic phenotype of malignant tumors. Gene therapy of malignant tumors via viral vector targeting. Metabolic control analysis.

Howard W.T. Matthew Associate Professor Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

My primary research interests fall within the areas of tissue engineering and biomaterials. Tissue engineering (aka regenerative medicine) may be defined as the application of engineering principles and approaches to the study and manipulation of living tissues and constituent cells, with the goal of producing either tissue repair, regeneration, or reconstitution of tissue function ex vivo. The design, modification and evaluation of bioactive and biodegradable materials are an integral part of this effort. Our work involves studying the interactions of cells, natural and synthetic polymer matrices, soluble signals, and environmental factors in vitro and in vivo. We have a particular interest in the used of ionic polymers (both natural and synthetic) as structural and signaling components of engineered tissues. The study of biomaterial-mediated control of stem cell differentiation is another area of focus. Current research includes projects geared towards repair/regeneration of: (a) the hematopoietic system, (b) heart valves and blood vessels, (c) liver, and (d) nerves. Some of our biomaterials work is also aimed at generating improved degradable materials with tissue-like biological and mechanical properties as well as materials for prevention of abdominal adhesions.

Caroline Maun Assistant Professor Interdisciplinary Studies

I am interested in how texts are put together, received, and consumed. I am also interested in how digital technologies have altered the way people consume texts.

Rusty McIntyre Assistant Professor Psychology

I am interested in ways to reduce stereotype threat by reminding stigmatized group members of in-group successful role models. My previous research indicates that reminders of role models can improve women's performance on a stigmatized math test. My research would thus address motivation for women.

Georgia Michalopoulou Ph.D., Chief of Staff Child Psychiatry and Psychology

Recognition and reduction of health care disparities. Recruitment of minority participants for obsessive compulsive disorder treatment research.

Scott R. Millis Ph.D., Professor Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Translational research in traumatic brain injury, MS, spinal cord injury, and other neurologic disorders. Medication and medical device clinical trials.

Kristine B. Miranne Director and Assistant Professor-Research Skillman Center for Children

Welfare reform and social policy. Teen parenting/pregnancy. Infant mortality/community outreach. Community planning from a family/child perspective. Collaboration and social inquiry.

Robert A. Mitchell Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Use of 18-O to study kinetics of (1) enzyme and (2) non-enzyme catalyzed reactions. For (1), I have developed a kinetic framework for the binding change mechanism associated with mitochondrial catalysis that permits a comparison of soluble and vesicular Mitochondrial-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis parameters. For (2), I have developed an achronometric (i.e. nontime-based) means for obtaining kinetic information for competitive sequential second order reactions for PC15 and POC13 hydrolysis by calculating normalized relative rate constants for each step using either numerical integration or a novel simple graphical analysis method.

David Moran Assistant Professor Law

Fourth Amendment. Right to Counsel issues. The confrontation clause and the law of hearsay.

Varsha Moudgal M.D., Assistant Professor Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases

I am in the process of setting up a clinic for HIV/Hepatitis C co-infected patients. I am interested in database development, clinical research protocols as well as collaborating with virologists to set up bench research projects on Hepatitis C.

Ashis Mukhopadhyay Ph.D., Assistant Professor Physics

The goal of our laboratory is to conduct fundamental research in the field of soft materials by developing spectroscopy techniques, which can offer structural and dynamical information with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, down to the atomic and molecular scale. The laboratory uses two main experimental approaches: (I) spectroscopic ellipsometry, which can describe the identity, composition, molecular interaction and orientation of the various parts of the molecules, as well as the thickness of the adsorbed film in the same measurement of the same sampling area. (ii) Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy by using which the rate of dynamic processes such as diffusion, aggregation and chemical reactions can be inferred from the fluorescence-intensity autocorrelation function. The single-molecule sensitivity of this technique allows complementing, ensemble-averaged rate measurements of traditional methods of physical analysis with the distribution around the average. This is important to understand the issue of heterogeneities in the soft matter systems We are interested in a broad agenda of research problems including (i) micro- and nanofluidics with complex fluids; (ii) single-molecule diffusion in confined fluids; (iii) interfacial behavior of fluids at soft surfaces; and (iv) direct visualization of molecules during wetting and spreading.

Pratima Nangia-Makker Ph.D., Assistant Professor Karmanos Cancer Institute

We are studying the role of galectin-3 in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, and using it as a target to inhibit tumor progression by a natural compound modified citrus pectin. We have used various animal models for breast, prostate, and colon cancers to study the effect of modified citrus pectin on tumor metastasis. Another natural compound that we are working on is a herb known as Ocimum sanctum . We are working on developing this herb as a preventive agent for breast cancer.

Cheryl Nordstrom Ph.D. MPH, Assistant Professor Center for Health Research

Relationships between neighborhoods and health. Socioeconomic status, cardiovascular disease epidemiology. Quality of life.

Nancy L. O'Sullivan Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor Anatomy and Cell Biology

The role of dendritic cells in oral and ocular immune responses. Induction of tear and salivary antibody responses.

Jayanth Panyam Assistant Professor Pharmaceutical Sciences

Our group is currently interested in exploring nanotechnology for drug and macromolecular delivery to cells and tissue. We are investigating the use of polymeric nanoparticles for sustained drug/gene delivery to cells. We are investigating the application of this technology for overcoming tumor drug resistance. Another area of interest is inflammation-responsive drug delivery. Many inflammatory disease processes such as in arthritis and impaired wound healing are characterized by an imbalance in the protease-protease inhibitors levels, with the increased levels of degradative proteases. Further, many of these diseases are chronic and hence require prolonged drug therapy. Thus, a sustained release delivery system that delivers anti-inflammatory drugs at a rate that is responsive to the intensity of inflammation is desirable. A hydrogel-based delivery system is being investigated for this purpose.

Frederic Pearson Academic Director Center for Peace and Conflict Studies

International military intervention, arms trade, and international conflict. Causes of war, international theory, the roots of social conflict and Middle East politics.

Soma S. Perooly Assistant Professor of Research Electrical and Computer Engineering

Extensive experience in synthesis of inorganic materials and micro-electronic fabrication. I am interested to see whether cheap lighting sources can be accomplished. Localized heating of miniaturized devices, packaging and reliability of micro-fluidic devices are also some of my interests including BIOMEMS.

Monte Piliawski Associate Professor Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations

Commercialization of higher education in areas including patent licensing programs, Internet and on-line education, and athletic programs, all designed for maximizing profit making.

Ananda S. Prasad M.D., Ph.D. Internal Medicine

I am interested in the role of zinc as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Also the role of zinc in cell mediated immunity is my research interest.

Ljiljana Progovac Associate Professor English

I am a linguist, with a specialization in syntax, syntax/morphology interface, and syntax/semantics interface. More specifically, I have researched the following areas: Negation and negative polarity; coordination, compounds, telegraphic/nonsentential speech; determiner phrase, aspect, etc.

Frances J. Ranney Associate Professor English

Using Aristotelian rhetorical and ethical thought, I have studied the structures and effects of legal language in sexual harassment regulations and judicial opinions. Through Women's Studies, I plan to concentrate more broadly on feminist issues, especially those confronting young women entering the academy.

Martha Ratliff Ph.D., Associate Professor English

I am finishing work on a reconstruction of the proto-Hmong-Mien language, the ancestor language of the approximately seven million speakers of Hmongic and Mienic languages in south China and northern Southeast Asia. It was spoken about 2,000 years ago. I am ultimately interested in determining the distant genetic affiliations of this language family and indirectly, of the speakers of these languages.

Ruth Ray Professor English

I do narrative research with intergenerational communities, as well as classroom-based research on service-learning. I also contribute, theoretically, to the development of age studies as an area of inquiry distinct from gerontology.

Marilyn Raymond Ph.D., Director Medical Education Ob/Gyn

Facilitating faculty, residents and medical students to teach and learn in the ambulatory setting. Integrating lifelong learning habits to residents and medical students as they change roles. Improving resident recruitment and retention in our program.

Steven J. Rehse Assistant Professor Physics and Astronomy

I am setting up a laboratory to explore and exploit the technique known as "Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy" (LIBS). This technique has recently (as of late 2003) been approached as a possible candidate for real-time in situ identification of biolog

Evgeny I. Rivin Ph.D., Professor Mechanical Engineering

Problem solving (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving - TRIZ in Russian abbreviation). Mechanical design. Vibration/noise control. Robotics.

Chokechai Rongkavilit M.D. Pediatrics

1. Pharmacokinetics of anti-HIV drugs in children. 2. Risk behaviors in HIV positive teenagers. 3. Pediatric HIV treatment in developing countries e.g. Thailand.

Hossein Salimnia Assistant Professor Pathology

Development of new PCR assays for rapid diagnosis of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases.

Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson Associate Professor Political Science

Institutional affects and effects of political and public processes.

Nabil J. Sarhan Ph.D., Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

Computer architecture, multimedia, computer networks, I/O, performance evaluation.

Veronica Schimp DO, Assistant Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecological Oncology

Ethnic disparities in gynecologic cancer. Endometrial cancer molecular pathology. Ovarian cancer treatment and pathology.

Loren Schweibert Associate Professor Computer Science

Our research group is interest in developing software support for wireless sensing applications. So far, we have collaborated with faculty in ECE, Physics, Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery on Artificial Retinal and Cortical Implants; with faculty in ECE and Chemical Engineering on Environmental Monitoring; and with faculty in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics on oxygen sensing. Since our interest is in developing protocols to support these kinds of applications, there are many opportunities for collaborations.

Malathy Shekhar Ph.D., Associate Professor Pathology and Breast Cancer Program

I am interested in understanding mechanisms that contribute to breast cancer profession, particularly resistance to treatment hormones and chemotherapy. Our efforts are focused on Rad 6, a protein with ubiquitin conjugating function and a fundamental component of the post replication DNA repair pathway.

Assia Shisheva Professor Physiology

The major scientific interest is in the molecular events involved in insulin signaling. Resistance to insulin action is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus type II, a disorder reaching epidemic proportion. Consequently, understanding the basic events and players that are essential in insulin-signaled translocation of glucose transporters (GLUT4) from the cell interior to the plasma membrane of fat and muscle cells appears central to the better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this form of diabetes.

Cheryl Somers Associate Professor Educational Psychology

Parent, peer, school and media influences on adolescent risk-taking, including sexuality, drug use, aggression, dropping out of high school, etc. Preventing teen pregnancy.

Sandeep Sood M.D., Assistant Professor Neurosurgery

Fluid dynamics in hydrocephalus.

Beena G. Sood M.D., Assistant Professor Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Cardiopulmonary physiology and pulmonary vascular biology.

Robert Stachler M.D., Assistant Professor Otolaryngology

Speech/voice or swallowing research. Tracheostomy management issues.

Christopher Steffes M.D., Associate Professor Surgery

Pericyte endothelial relationships in shock/sepsis. Pericyte motility, perivascular leakage. Pericyte apoptosis, shock/sepsis.

Joseph Tan Professor Business

I am interested in all aspects of Health Information Technologies, their effects and impacts on human lives, population health, environmental health and organizational structures.

Amanuel G. Tekleab Assistant Professor Management

My research interests focus on two areas related to employment relationships and teams. Specifically, I look at the role of psychological contracts on employee behaviors in organizations. I also conduct research on teams and team processes, such as conflicts, conflict management, and cohesion. In addition, I am interested in multi-level issues (e.g., issues at the group and individual levels) in organizational behavior. I plan to expand my research to fairness issues as well.

Ulka Vaishampayan M.D., Assistant Professor Hematology/Oncology

Clinical research in geritourinary cancers. Targeted therapies in GU cancers. Concurrent chemoradiation approach in cancer.

Caisheng Wang Assistant Professor Engineering Technology

Electrical machines, power systems, alternative energy systems, fuel cells, hybrid vehicle modeling and control.

Craig Watson M.D., Ph.D., Professor Neurology

Interested in studying dietary treatments of epilepsy. Dietary prevention of obesity, Type II diabetes, stroke, MI, vascular disease.

Linda Weglicki Ph.D., RN, Assistant Professor Adult Health

Health promotion/risk reduction, adalescent health, tobacco control - prevention/cessatin, Mapping Community Health, Comparative Health Delivery Systems, Health Disparities and Socioeconomic Status, Emerging Technologies

Robert Welch M.D., Associate Professor Emergency Medicine

Congestive heart failure. Cardiac arrest.

Judith Whittum-Hudson Ph.D., Professor Ophthalmology

Chlamydial vaccine candidate-validation in mouse models, immunological characterization. Immunopathogenesis of chlamydial infections in mice and men: in vivo mechanistic elucidation of persistence phenotype currently only shown in vitro. Inflammatory arthritis, pathogenesis. Chlamydial association with neurodegenerative diseases such as late-onset Alzheimer's disease: immunopathogenesis, cell biology (Chlamydia pneumoniae). Autoimmune lachrymal gland disease in a mouse model of Sjogren's syndrome. Use of real time microscopy (RTM-3) for in vitro studies of chlamydial infections - supervising the RTM-3 as a piece of core equipment which is available for use across campus.

Hai-Young Wu Ph.D., Associate Professor Pharmacology

DNA topology. Chromosome biology. Gene expression regulation. Protein-DNA interaction.

Gen Sheng Wu Ph.D., Associate Professor Karmanos Cancer Institute

p53-dependent and independent regulator. The role of MKP-1 in oxidative-stress mediated cell death. The role of MKP-1 in cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. Characterization of additional targets of p53.

Jinping Xu M.D., Assistant Professor Family Medicine

I'm interested in women's health issues, such as vaginitis and menopause, especially in primary care settings. Also interested in complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture, Tai Chi exercises for common chronic medical problems, such as arthritis. Also interested in obesity studies such as effective weight loss interventions in both adults and children. Mental health, such as depression in primary care.

Fayth K. Yoshimura Associate Professor Immunology and Microbiology

My lab in interested in the molecular mechanisms by which oncogenic retroviruses are able to induce cellular transformation and T-cell tumor formation. Our recent efforts have shown that overproduction of a viral glycoprotein (Env) is able to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress. This effect can lead to both apoptosis and cellular transformation by the activation of different signaling pathways. We are presently identifying the steps in these two different pathways, and the mechanism(s) by which they are controlled.

Rosalie F. Young Ph.D., Associate Professor Family Medicine

Health of older populations. Effects of chronic physical and cognitive disease in older populations, racial/ethnic minorities, and females. Disparities in health and medical management of diseases (e.g., diabetes). Breast cancer prevention and control. Family management of chronic physical and mental disorders.

Hongwei Zhang Assistant Professor Computer Science

1. Networked sensing: wireless and sensor networks, heterogenous networks. 2. Dependable networked and distributed systems. 3. Theory of networks and computation.

Zhimin Zhang Ph.D., Professor Mathematics

Industrial mathematics. Scientific computing.