Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston

My major research focus is the pathogenesis of heart failure.
Of particular interest are the mechanisms responsible for adverse cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling associated with the progression of congestive heart failure.
Current topics of study include:
• the role of lysyl oxidase, a collagen crosslinking enzyme, and related peptides in myocardial ECM remodeling,
• the cardioprotective effects of estrogenic pathways, including soybean- and plant-derived compounds, and
• the cardiac effects of inhaled particulate matter and cigarette smoke.
My laboratory utilizes rodent models of cardiac disease, including models of pressure and volume overload.
We also use primary adult cell culture to examine specific pathways involved in the remodeling process.

Gardner, J.D., G.L. Brower, T.G. Voloshenyuk, J.S. Janicki., Cardioprotection in female rats subjected to chronic volume overload: synergistic interaction of estrogen and phytoestrogens., AJP: Heart and Circ. 294(1):H198-204, 2008.

Murray, D.B., J.D. Gardner, G.L. Brower, J.S. Janicki., Effects of nonselective endothelin-1 receptor antagonism on cardiac mast cell-mediated ventricular remodeling in rats., AJP: Heart and Circ. 294(3):H1251-7, 2008.

Levick, S.P., J.D. Gardner, M. Holland, M. Hauer-Jensen, J.S. Janicki, G.L. Brower., Protection from adverse myocardial remodeling secondary to chronic volume overload in mast cell deficient rats., JMCC 45(1):56-61, 2008.

Murray, D.B., J.D. Gardner, S.P. Levick, G.L. Brower, L.G. Morgan, J.S. Janicki., Response of cardiac mast cells to atrial natriuretic peptide., AJP: Heart and Circ. 293(2):H1216-22, 2007.

Csiszar, A., N. Labinskyy, K.E. Smith, A. Rivera, E.N. Bakker, H. Jo, J. Gardner, Z. Orosz, Z. Ungvari., Downregulation of bone morphogenetic protein 4 expression in coronary arterial endothelial cells: role of shear stress and the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 27(4):776-82, 2007.

Janicki J.S., G.L. Brower, J.D. Gardner, M.F. Forman, J.A. Stewart Jr, D.B. Murray, A.L. Chancey., Cardiac mast cell regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-related ventricular remodeling in chronic pressure or volume overload., Cardiovasc Res. 69(3):657-65, 2006.

Gardner, J.D., G.L. Brower and J.S. Janicki., Effects of dietary phytoestrogens on cardiac remodeling secondary to chronic volume overload in female rats., J. Appl. Physiol. 99(4):1378-83, 2005.