Research menu

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Samina Akbar, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Microbiology and Immunology

We are interested in discerning the molecular evolution of multidrug resistance plasmids of Salmonella spp. in order to better understand the basis of genetic differences between these plasmids and the mechanism/s of their spread in nature. We are also examining the regulation of expression of Type III secretion genes in Salmonella Typhimurium and their role in bacterial virulence.

Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D.

Professor - Microbiology and Immunology
Laboratory-based research

Work in my lab is focused on carbohydrate utilization and storage by protozoan parasites. I am particularly interested in glycogen utilization by several important human pathogens. As a branched polymer of glucose, glycogen functions as a store of both energy and carbon skeletons in many species ranging from mammals to bacteria. In collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Wayne Wilson (Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition) we have begun a study of the role of glycogen stores in the protists Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia intestinalis. These organisms are both of medical interest. T. vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide where G. intestinalis infection is an important cause of diarrheal illness. Both organisms have been shown to accumulate substantial quantities of glycogen at particular points during growth. Our current work addresses the kinetics of glycogen synthesis and utilization as well as the cellular mechanisms that regulate these processes.  Additionally, we have begun to characterize several families of amylases present in T. vaginalis. We are particularly interested in determining if these enzymes play a role in nutrient acquisition within the glycogen rich environment of the human vagina.

Kevin Carnevale, M.D.

Academic pathologist - Microbiology and Immunology

The objective of our studies is to understand the role of phospholipase during restenosis  Our studies implicate that cPLA₂ is involved two major processes in the development of restenosis.  We are performing studies looking at smooth muscle migration and proliferation in cells that have been either inhibited or deficient in cPLA₂.  We are measuring the amount of macrophage inflammation that effects smooth muscle cells proliferation and intimal hyperplasia during restenosis in the femoral artery of mice deficient in cPLA₂. We hypothesize that cPLA₂ is a key component in the chemotaxis of macrophages which drives the inflammatory process in restenosis as well as being needed for smooth muscle cell proliferation.  

Pamela Duffy, P.T., Ph.D., OCS, CPC, RP

Assistant professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral, health systems and public health research

My three primary categories of research are 1. Effective methodology for teaching cultural competency skills to health professions students; 2. Health care disparities and access to health care and public health services, including delivering culturally sensitive care to underserved populations; and 3. Measuring health care quality and efficiency. In 2013, I am continuing work on immigrant and refugee health care access, student learning outcomes in Interprofessional Education, and adverse childhood events (ACEs) impact on adult health.

Vanja Duric, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Physiology and pharmacology

Depression is one the most prevalent and debilitating psychiatric illnesses.  Our research is focused on characterization of central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of depressive state.  We utilize a variety of cellular, molecular and pharmacological approaches in combination with preclinical behavioral models to identify potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for treatment of depression.  In addition, we are also interested in studying neural mechanisms linking depression and other CNS illnesses, such as chronic pain and stroke.  

Mindi Feilmeier, D.P.M., FACFAS

Assistant professor - Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

My research interest in the field of foot and ankle medicine and surgery is broad, involving all aspects of foot and ankle clinical practice and surgical procedures.  The focus of my research is primarily on the outcome of commonly performed treatments of foot and ankle ailments, both conservative and surgical.   I enjoy taking current procedures and or treatments and systematically reviewing them to make sure that we are using the most up to date, biomechanically sound, and evidenced based options available to us in the care of our patients. 

Simon Geletta, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral, health systems and population research

My current research includes the evaluation, design and analysis of health education disease prevention (HPDP) programs. I currently have several implementations of such evaluations. One is called the Iowa Healthy Link program and is jointly funded by the Area Agency on Aging and the National Coalition on Aging.

Other projects that are in various stages of development include the analysis of infant mortality patterns and the incidence of sudden infant deaths, the investigation of ecological factors that impact a community’s health and the use of secondary health data for monitoring of population health.

I am also involved with a study that investigates the relationships between environmental factors that may be contributing to the concentration of water contaminants.

James Mahoney, D.P.M., FACFAS

Associate dean - Academic Affairs
Patient-centered research

I am interested in improving the functionality of an educational CD on how to interpret MRI’s of the foot and ankle. In other words, make the CD more “user friendly.” As such, a student with an interest in computer technology is needed to complete the project. Past experience in instructional design would be beneficial, but not necessary. Interested students will have the opportunity to meet with me, examine the current CD, and decide if they have the computer knowledge to participate.

Shane McClinton, D.P.T., OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS

Physical therapist - Physical therapy clinic
Patient-centered research

Integration of evidence into patient management is a crucial and evolving component to clinical practice. My research is focused on analyzing dynamic and static characteristics of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders in addition to the outcomes of manual and exercise interventions. My current research is focused on assessing characteristics (eg, lower leg and foot strength, range of motion, concurrent conditions, and treatment utilization) of individuals with plantar heel pain (aka, plantar fasciitis). 

Julia Moffitt, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Physiology and pharmacology

Investigation of neural control and autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function. Ongoing projects include studying the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on control of cardiovascular function and behavior in addition to investigating the effects of chronic exercise training and deconditioning on central nervous system control of cardiovascular function and hedonic behaviors.

Marie Nguyen, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Microbiology and Immunology

Depending on the tissues affected Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections lead to disease as minor as a cold sore or as devastating as encephalitis. Our goal is to elucidate host factors regulating HSV disease. A form of cell death, apoptosis, is a common response to viral infections. During HSV infection, an intricate balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors leads to a cell state in which apoptotic enzymes are activated in the absence of cell death. Our current research focus is to (i) define the impact of apoptosis on HSV replication and (ii) identify cellular players in this process.

Shannon Petersen, P.T., DScPT, OCS, FAAOMPT,COMT

Associate professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Patient-centered research

Manual therapy and exercise are among recommended interventions for patients with specific spinal and extremity disorders based on physical therapy clinical practice guidelines, although the interaction between these interventions is not clear. The focus of my current research is to examine the effects of thrust manipulation on muscle strength both locally and distant to the joint treated.

Rachel Reimer, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Master of Public Health
Behavioral, health systems and population research

My research is focused broadly on examining how individuals make decisions about health, and the social, cultural, and environmental factors that affect those decisions. My current research is focused primarily on using social psychology theory to examine disparities between White and Latina women on factors associated with HPV vaccination (such as parent-child communication, religiosity, and perceived norms). I also research decision making for adolescent health risk behaviors such as alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviors. Finally, I am involved in experimental research examining the longitudinal effects of a childhood obesity prevention program.

Martin Schmidt, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Biochemistry and Nutrition
Laboratory-based research

Dr. Schmidt’s laboratory is currently examining the effects of a common broad-spectrum poison, boric acid, on the metabolism and cell biology of yeasts. The observations of both the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans aim at understanding boric acid’s mechanism of action and its suitability for alternative antifungal therapy. Dr. Schmidt also continues his work on the cell biology of S. cerevisiae that aims at a molecular understanding of cell wall synthesis and morphogenesis.

Muhammad Spocter, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Anatomy

I am a biological anthropologist with a special interest in the comparative neuroanatomy of primates and reconstructing the evolutionary history of our species. Using a histological framework in conjunction with phylogenetically informed procedures, I aim at investigating the neuroanatomical features underlying the behavioral repertoire of large brained, social animals. My research has focused on issues relating to brain asymmetry and correlates with handedness, evolutionary changes in the homologues of human language areas, exploring scaling relationships at different levels of organization and characterizing the phenotypic changes that accompanied the evolution of large brains in other taxa. As a secondary interest, I am also engaged in collaborative projects in medical education and forensic anthropology.

More information about Dr. Spocter’s research

Katie Stevermer, PT, Ph.D., GCS

Assistant professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Laboratory-based and patient-centered research

My research uses biomechanical and clinical measures to evaluate postural stability and movement strategies during functional activities (stair descent, sit-to-stand, and gait) in older adults. Specific interests include stability assessment for individuals with musculoskeletal pathology, the analysis of directional changes during gait, and the comparison of movement strategies across age groups during sit-to-stand.

Kim Tran, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant professor - Physiology and pharmacology

My laboratory is interested in various aspects of vascular biology, in particular vascular disorders associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Calmodulin is the most important transducer of intracellular Ca²⁺ signals by virtue of its requirement for the functions of numerous cellular proteins and its insufficient expression for all its targets. Modulating aspects of calmodulin-dependent signaling thus represents therapeutic potential for many cardiovascular disorders. We use combination of molecular, cellular and biochemical approaches coupled with multi-wavelength intracellular imaging techniques to investigate the mechanisms and therapeutic options for alterations in calmodulin-dependent signaling associated with menopause, diabetes and hypertension. Currently we are (1) Elucidating signal transduction via a novel calmodulin-binding protein we recently identified that has been implicated in many cardiovascular functions; (2) Investigating intercellular interactions via calmodulin among the main cell types of the vasculature using a novel model we recently developed; and (3) Investigating the effects of sex hormones and their deprivation on intracellular signaling via Ca²⁺ and calmodulin as well as intercellular interactions in the vasculature.

Vassilios Vardaxis, Ph.D.

Professor - Doctor of Physical Therapy
Laboratory-based and patient-centered research

Our research interest is focused on the biomechanics of the human body and its relation to the onset of pathology as related to movement and load. Specifically, we study differences in gait and balance resulting from change or intervention (e.g., age, rehabilitation protocol, surgery) aiming to understand the relationships between the performance of activities of daily living, body structure, external forces and muscle function and pathology.

Currently we are investigating the intact foot function during activities of daily living and the differences in the compensation mechanisms employed by individuals with advanced hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Wayne Wilson, Ph.D.

Associate professor - Biochemistry and Nutrition

Work in my laboratory focuses on the study of glycogen metabolism and its regulation. Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose that functions as a store of both energy and carbon skeletons in many species ranging from mammals to bacteria. We have a longstanding interest in understanding the control of glycogen storage in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and, more recently, have expanded our work to consideration of the role of glycogen in a variety of protists of medical interest.

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