Research Projects

Project 1

Led by Dr. Bradley Ferguson, Ph.D., assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Project 1 focuses on research to identify epigenetic and non-epigenetic mechanisms that control cardio-metabolic diseases. Project 1 will explore the role of sarcomere protein acetylation which functions to regulate muscle contraction in the heart and prolonged heart enlargement. This research has the potential to develop different therapies for patients with heart failure due to cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Ferguson has graduated from the Cardiovascular COBRE in Phase 1 after received an R15 award from the NIH.

Project 2

Led by Dr. Haifeng Zheng, Ph.D., research assistant professor of physiology and cell biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 2 focuses on mechanisms that regulate cardiac pacemaker activity and heart rate. Abnormal cardiac pacing can potentially lead to serious health problems. The research for this project explores the development of possibly new novel therapeutic targets for cardiac pacemaker deficiencies as well as the hypotheses about the origin and cause of atrial fibrillation in the heart.

Project 3

Led by Dr. Shailesh Agarwal, Ph.D., research assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 3 focuses on nanoscale cell signaling in heart muscle cells. The research for this project aims to study the regulation of cAMP signaling by mitochondria-associated spaces that could lead to a better understanding of the cardiovascular system and physiology of the heart to develop novel therapeutic approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Agarwal has graduated from the Cardiovascular COBRE in Phase 1 after receiving an R01 award from NIH. 

Project 4

Led by Dr. Cam Ha Tran, Ph.D., assistant professor of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 4 focuses on blood flow regulation in the brain. The research for this project explores how the different signaling pathways are integrated to regulate blood flow to the brain for the development of novel treatments for neurological disorders. Dr. Tran has graduated from the Cardiovascular COBRE in Phase 1 after receiving an R21 and an R01 award from the NIH.

Project 5

Led by Dr. Albert Gonzales, Ph.D., assistant professor of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 5 aims to elucidate the effects of amyloid-β, a major component of amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, on capillary pericytes. Dr. Gonzales has graduated from the Caridovascular COBRE in Phase 1 after receiving an R01 award from the NIH.

Project 6

Led by Dr. Elizabeth Akin, Ph.D., research assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 6 proposes the use of high-resolution single-molecule imaging techniques to investigate the dynamic regulation of sympathetic neurons on a molecular level as an avenue to develop novel therapeutic interventions.

Project 7

Led by Dr. Lai Wen, Ph.D., assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nevdada, Reno, Project 7 expects to provide key insights into cell adhesion mechanisms and facilitate the development of novel drugs targeting inflammation.

Project 8

Led by Dr. Nathan Grainger, Ph. D., research assistant professor of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, Project 8 will investigate how blood flow to different regions of the sinoatrial node is regulated and how flow can change as a result of exercise and heart disease.