Our recent research program has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the Department of Surgery / USF Morsani College of Medicine. We are grateful to our sponsors who make our research possible.

NIH R01GM139811

Contributions of vascular chemokine receptors to cardiovascular function after traumatic-hemorrhagic shock
In this project, we investigate the contribution of chemokine receptors to the regulation of α1-adrenergic receptors in vascular smooth muscle during the cardiovascular stress response to hemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation. These studies will lead to a better understanding of blood pressure control and facilitate identification of new therapeutic strategies to stabilize vascular tone and hemodynamics, prevent cardiovascular collapse and improve resuscitation after traumatic-hemorrhagic shock, and in hemodynamically instable critically ill patients in general.

NIH R21AA025750

Sensitization of vascular function by ethanol
In this project, we study how ethanol influences intrinsic vascular function of resistance arteries and elucidate the molecular mechanism by which ethanol modulates control of vascular tone. The proposed studies will lay the groundwork for the development of new and improved treatment strategies to attenuate cardiovascular risks associated with ethanol consumption.

NIH 1R21AI139827

Mechanisms regulating leukocyte trafficking
In this project, we scrutinize the distribution and roles of heteromeric complexes between chemokine receptors and α1-adrenergic receptors in monocytes. These studies will provide the scientific basis to establish receptor heteromerization as a new molecular mechanism through which the neurohormonal system controls leukocyte trafficking and facilitate identification of new molecular targets to modulate innate immune functions.