Cellular Biology & Anatomy Faculty Listing

Loss of musculoskeletal mobility is a key contributor to loss of independence and increased morbidity and mortality with aging.  The overall goal of our laboratory’s research program is to uncover processes driving the maintenance / regeneration of bone structure and biomechanical strength as well skeletal interorgan communication with other body systems such as skeletal muscle and fat depots in aging and disease states. We investigate hormonal, epigenetic, and mechano-biological therapeutic targets for skeletal treatment, mechanical competence of tissue, and biological pathways involved in skeletal crosstalk with other organs. This research is driven by clinical issues, incorporating direct collaboration with clinicians and other basic science researchers, focusing on primary musculoskeletal disorders like osteoporosis and other diseases that may be intertwined with skeletal biology.  We are working to define the integrative pathways involved in crosstalk between the skeleton and other organ systems to regulate development and disease progression.

 My primary research focus is within education investigating the effectiveness of teaching modalities in anatomy education. Medical education is built on a strong understanding of human anatomy. I strive to utilize my research to enhance student experiences and success while providing a clear understanding of anatomy and the skills needed to be successful medical professionals. My overall goal is to foster and encouraging and dynamic learning environment that inspires curiosity and passion with future medical professionals. My secondary research interest is in the impact of neuroprotective drugs on the hereditary blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa. My research has focused on investigating the impacts of known neuroprotective drug, (+)-Pentazocine on the structure and function of retinas that have retinitis pigmentosa induced through the P23H mutation.

Our lab focuses on vascular biology and the molecular mechanisms that control retinal vascular function and growth during health and disease.  We seek to understand the role of the enzyme arginase in altering retinal blood flow and causing neuronal cell death in diseases like diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity.

More about Ruth Caldwell, PhD

Our lab is interested in the mechanism of nephron hypertrophy, which is implicated in setting the stage for progressive nephron damage. We are also interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the nephron damage seen in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hope to identify potential molecular targets for the development of preventive and/or therapeutic strategies to preserve nephrons and prevent kidney failure.

MORE ABOUT JIAN-KANG CHEN, PHD

The primary objective of our research is to characterize molecular changes in biological samples for disease studies. We are particularly interested in lipidomic and proteomic analyses for studying the mechanisms, early diagnoses, and treatments of ocular diseases, including dry eye disease and age-related macular degeneration.

The overall goal of our research is to delineate the molecular mechanism of cell injury/death, its protection and subsequent regeneration.  Our focus has continued to be the response of kidney and cancer cells/tissues to pathological conditions of hypoxia/ischemia, metabolic stress, and DNA damage. 

More about Zheng Dong, PhD

The research in my laboratory centers on the lens, an important structure with the eye that focuses light on the retina. We study the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aging and age-related disease, i.e., age-related nuclear cataract (ARNC) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We also use in vitro and in vivo model systems to study posterior capsule opacification (PCO), a common post cataract surgery complication.

More about Xingjun Fan, PhD

The focus of our research is on understanding the mechanisms by which cells establish polarity.  Establishment of cell polarity is essential for normal cell function.  We also seek to understand how mis-regulation of this process results in disease.

More About Graydon Gonsalvez, PhD

A major question in cell biology is how cells communicate with each other. One mechanism involves exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicles released after fusion of the internal vesicles with the cell surface. Because exosomes mirror the origin and status of the cells, the analysis of the content encapsulated in exosomes from biological fluids can reveal information relevant to human health and disease. Currently, work in our group is aimed at 1) building exosome detection toolboxes that can be applied to various exosome fields; 2) dissecting exosome biogenesis at the molecular levels; and 3) understanding the roles of exosomes in regeneration following organ injury.

More about Sang-Ho Kwon, PhD

My laboratory is currently testing roles of an extracellular matrix protein, Tinagl1, in heart development and spine/spinal cord development in young zebrafish. We are using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing for definitive mutant phenotypes, and then will examine development using live imaging, signaling pathway analyses, and tissue staining. Links to primary cilia and Wnt signaling are suggested by previous data. Tinagl1 family members have been implicated in renal development, nephronophthisis, and suppression of metastasis of breast cancer, but the mechanisms are virtually unknown.

Ellen K. LeMosy, MD, PhD

Dr. Liu's research interest is to identify genetic risk factors related to complex human diseases, such as corneal diseases, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease).  Dr. Liu is also interested in the role of genomic structural variation in human disease.

More about Yutao Liu, MD, PhD

My primary research interest lies in educational research on anatomy and the effective methods to teach medical students. The foundation of medical education is built on a deep understanding of human anatomy, and my goal is to enhance this foundation through innovative teaching strategies and research-based methodologies. Ultimately, my objective is to equip medical students with a solid anatomical knowledge base and the skills necessary to excel in their clinical careers. By fostering a dynamic and supportive learning environment, I aim to inspire future medical professionals to approach anatomy with curiosity, precision, and a passion for lifelong learning.

More about Morganne L. Manuel, PhD

Our overall goal is to improve the treatment of breast cancer by preventing resistance.  Autophagy, a process of recycli8ng organelles when cells are stressed, allows cancer cells to survive chemotherapy and radiation.  Our laboratory seeks to identify key molecules that could be targeted to prevent pro-survival autophagy.

More about Patricia Schoenlein, PhD

Dr. Thounaojam is trained in epigenomic studies and retinal disease, including retinal inflammation and vascular dysfunction (RNV and diabetic retinopathy). Dr Thounaojam is particularly interested in understanding how prematurity or neonatal factors contribute to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Her NIH-RO3 from NICHD evaluated the role of various bile acids for the treatment and prevention of complications in the preterm infant. She has been recently investigating the role of bile acids, gut microbiome, and their correlation in the complication of prematurity. She collaborates with basic and clinician-scientists and many members of the VDI. She is also actively involved in the training of undergraduate, graduate, and medical students at Augusta University. She has been Associate Editor of Frontiers in Medicine journal (Ophthalmology section) since 2020. She has been guest editor of special issues of Biomolecules journal on Ischemic Retinopathies. She also serves as an Editorial board member and a reviewer of various journals, including Scientific Reports, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Oxidative and Cellular Longevity. 

More About MENAKA THOUNAOJAM, PHD

Our lab focuses on retinal neurovascular biology and mechanisms of immune, neuron and vascular interaction that control retinal neurovascular function during health and disease. We seek to develop novel strategies to create a favorable retinal environment for cell survival, vascular repair and revascularization in diseases like retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration.

MORE ABOUT JING WANG, PHD

My research interests have focused on corneal wound healing, ion channel function, cell signaling and bioengineering of an artificial cornea.  I also have a long term interest in bioactive lipids.  Stemming from my corneal wound healing work, research projects in the lab have broadened to include translational projects aimed at understanding initiation of fibrotic diseases throughout the body, including scleroderma (SSc) and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as research involving osteoporosis and markers of bone metabolism.

More about Mitchell Watsky, PhD

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major kidney disease with high mortality clinically, which can be induced by injurious factors such as ischemia, nephrotoxins, and sepsis. In addition, patients are at higher risk to develop chronic kidney diseases (CKD, characterized by maladaptive tubular repair and massive renal fibrosis development) even after they are recovered from an AKI episode. Our research interests are the pathophysiological mechanisms, specifically the epigenetic regulation, of AKI and CKD. Currently we mainly focus on the role of a long non-coding RNA GSTM3P1 (an RNA transcript from pseudogene). We will use both in vitro and in vivo mouse model to understand its pro-renal injury role in ischemic AKI, its interaction with microRNAs, and its regulation to the parent gene GSTM3. In addition, we will also explore the role of long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs in other AKI models and how they regulate the renal repair and fibrosis in CKD models.

More about Qingqing Wei, PhD

Curating an inclusive learning environment is at the core of my teaching philosophy. I regularly implement well established means of engaging students through interactive activities during my lecture. My education research focus will center on the relative success of different engagement modalities across learners from different levels of academic success.

The primary objective of our research program is to understand the pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus ocular infections by using mouse models and organatypic retinal culture models. Our current work includes the investigation of the mechanisms of death of bystander retinal cells during ocular murine cytomegalovirus retinitis and also determine the role of cytomegalovirus in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

More about Ming Zhang, MD, PhD