The Biomedical Alcohol Research Training Program - Current Trainees
Postdoctoral Fellows
Nicole LeCapitaine, Ph.D.
The main focus of my project is the analysis of markers of endothelial dysfunction (endothelial microparticles and circulating endothelial cells) and repair (endothelial progenitor cells) in mouse models of bacteremia and septicemia. We hypothesize that the endothelium signals the bone marrow stem/progenitor pool, eliciting a repair response, and that alcohol alters both marker levels and signaling potential during infection.
Robert W. Siggins II, Ph.D.
My research examines the effects of chronic alcohol administration on the hematopoietic system in SIV-infected Rhesus macaques. Additionally, we are interested in the hematopoietic response to bacteremia, and the mechanisms by which acute and chronic alcohol perturb granulopoiesis. Our lab utilizes mouse models of acute i.p. ethanol and chronic alcohol feeding for 10 weeks.
Predoctoral Fellows
Caroline Raasch
Alcohol abuse is associated with an increased incidence and severity of pneumonia. We are studying how alcohol attenuates the hematopoietic response to pneumococcal pneumonia. In particular, our research focuses on alcohol’s impairment of the lin- c-kit+ sca-1+ stem cell response to Streptococcus pneumoniae, and how it relates to host defense and survival.
Jessica Thomas
My research focus is evaluating protective mucosal immune factors and humoral immune responses to SIV infection in rhesus macaques and the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the functionality and development of these host responses over the course of disease.
Annie Whitaker
My research focuses on the impact of alcohol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to hemorrhage. Using a rodent model of binge-like alcohol abuse, I am examining the impact of acute (15hr) alcohol intoxication on circulating blood volume, urine output, neurohypophyseal stores of arginine vasopressin and the vascular responsiveness to vasopressors following hemorrhagic shock.
Nick Melvan
Functional and quantitative deficiencies of granulopoiesis exist in the neonate which predisposes them to septic infections. My project is to develop a murine model to study how the granulopoietic response to sepsis differs in the neonate and how these responses change in the presence alcohol.
Jesse Sulzer
Examining the effects of restoration of blood pressure via neuroendocrine mediators during a trauma/hemorrhage model on the inflammatory, immune and organ response in acute alcohol intoxication.
Candidates for the Predoctoral Training Program Edith M. Walker
My research focus is in utilizing the rhesus macaque model of SIV to examine the effects of chronic marijuana on disease progression and the metabolic changes associated with the cachexia that presents in end stage AIDS. The project builds on earlier data gathered in the lab using the simian model of AIDS in connection with chronic alcohol consumption.
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