BRIC Research Activities
The overall intent of this core is to provide the required research infrastructure to support our research objectives:
- Conduct original and innovative biomedical/behavioral research aimed at eliminating health disparities as they relate to diabetes, HIV/AIDS, hypertension/cardiovascular disease, and sleep deprivation as it relates to alcoholism and drug addiction.
- Translate health services research outcomes into improvements for Winston-Salem's sizeable minority population and throughout the 12-county Piedmont Triad by leveraging WSSU's long-standing community partnerships.
- Create training opportunities for undergraduate/graduate students and junior faculty to pursue research interests in minority health or health disparities.
Collaborators: Allyn Howlett, Ph.D. and Sara Jones, Ph.D. (Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, WFUSM), Tony Reeves, Ph.D. (Molecular Medicine WFUSM), Kiran Solingapuram Sai, PhD. (Radiology, WFUSM), Khalil Eldeeb (Campbell University), Victor Pulgar (Campbell University)
Project Titles:
UNC ROI: Piperidines as Potential Medications for CNS disorders.
Excellence in Research: Piperidines as Potential Molecular Tools.
Collaborators: Daniel Kim-Shapiro, Ph.D. Department of Physics, WFU; Shay Soker, Wake Forest University Institute of Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM)
Project Titles:Vascular dysfunction and blood disorders as they relate to overall functional health in diabetic individuals.
The impact of music on therapeutics and biophysical parameters in pathophysiologic conditions.
Collaborators: Wayne Silver, Ph.D Dept. of Biology, WFU; Vijay Gorantla, M.D. Ph.D. WFIRM
Project Titles:
Neurophysiology of calcium signaling in sensory neurons. Role of calcium channels in acute and chronic pain.
Naomi M. Hall-Byers, PhD, MPH (affiliate; currently serving at the National Science Foundation)
Collaborators: Dr. Danielle Dickens, Spelman College, Dr. Yarneccia Dyson, UNCG
Project Titles:
Infusing an Honors Curriculum to Enrich the Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychological Sciences.
- Excellence in Research: Navigating the Double Bind: Assessing the Development and Contribution of Identity Shifting to the Recruitment & Retention of Black Women in STEM Education. Collaborator: Dr. Danielle Dickens, Spelman College.
- Excellence in Research: Attitudes, Motivations, and Justifications of Interpersonal Aggression. Collaborator: Dr. Yarneccia Dyson, UNCG
Collaborators: N/A
Project Titles:
Neural control of blood pressure with a concentration in molecular mechanism responsible for the development and maintenance of hypertension.
C. Edward Ebert, Ph.D.
Collaborators:
Rong Chen, Ph.D. Dept. of Phys./Pharm., WFUSM
Mark E. Van Dyke, Ph.D. Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Polyechnic Inst.
Project Titles:
Investigating the biochemical mechanisms by which keratin promotes nerve cell regeneration. Schwann cell metabolism.
Collaborators: N/A
Project Titles:
Impact of linolenic acid on growth of prostate cancer cells.
Effect of various essential oils on growth of major causes of bacterial diarrhea.
Errol Thompson, Ph.D.
Collaborators: Jeffery Overholt, Ph.D., Debra Diz, Ph.D. Hypertension and Vascular Disease Center, WFUSM
Project Titles:
Cellular mechanisms of hypertension at the superior cervical ganglia.
Collaborators: Stephen J. Walker, PhD and Hooman Sadri Ardekani, MD, PhD, WFRIM
Project Titles:
Mechanisms of sterile inflammation, in the context of skeletal muscle contraction-induced injury.
Collaborators: N/A
Project Titles:
Development of novel carbon carbon bond formation for synthesis of bioactive N,O, S-heterocycles.
Current Research: Using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate heart cells and heart organoids as a testing platform for newly developed universal culture media or candidate drugs for longevity and anti-cancer applications, helping to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research.
