Expertise

The two major themes of my research program include: 1) Studying the role of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases (MuRF proteins) in cardiac and skeletal muscle atrophy (including cancer cachexia) and their role in cell signaling and metabolism; and 2) Identifying the role of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases degrade inherited mutant muscle proteins (e.g., cMyBP-C and BAG3 proteins) in the pathogenesis of heart failure. We have extensive experience with pre-clinical studies of therapies using 1) peptide-inhibitor of MK2 (MMI-0100); 2) peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers; 3) NEMO-binding domain (NBD) peptides; 4) two small molecule inhibitors of NF-¿B (I¿B); 5) proteasome inhibition; and 6) anti-MIF neutralizing antibodies in heart failure models of muscular dystrophy, cancer cachexia, cardiac atrophy, and myocardial infarction. 

 

Our laboratory investigates the role of protein quality control in the pathogenesis of heart failure and myofibrillar myopathies, with three major themes:

 

  • Identifying the role of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases (MuRF proteins) in regulating cell signaling and metabolism by regulating nuclear receptors

  • Determining how muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases degrade inherited mutant muscle proteins (e.g., cMyBP-C and BAG3 proteins) in the pathogenesis of heart failure

  • Discovery of mechanisms and therapies for Bag3 P209L myofibrillar myopathy (MFM).

Past Affiliations

Professor, Vice-Chair of Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine

Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine

Deputy Director, Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Member, IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Assistant Director, McAllister Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Assistant Professor, McAllister Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Associate Professor, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Associate Professor, McAllister Heart Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (past)

Communities
Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Degrees
MBA, Kenan-Flagler Business School, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, 2014
MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Medicine / Pathology, 2001
PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Pathology and Microbiology, 2001
BS, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Biology, General, 1992
Keywords
cardiovascular disease heart failure alzheimers disease muscular dystrophy congenital heart disease musculoskeletal diseases metabolism muscle structure or function heart failure ubiquitin proteasome system metabolomics protein quality control ubiquitin ligases ubiquitin proteasome system autophagy muscle bone cross talk alzheimer disease musculoskeletal & cardiac defects
Languages
English
Honors

Jefferson-Pilot Fellowship in Academic Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 2011-2015

Cotran Early Career Investigator Award, American Society of Investigative Pathologists (ASIP), 2011

Cotran Early Career Investigator Award, American Society of Investigative Pathologists (ASIP), 2011

Society of Endocrinology Journal Award, Society of Endocrinology, 2017

Associations
Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists
American Society of Investigative Pathologists
American Association of Clinical Chemistry
American Heart Association Basic Cardiovascular Sciences
American Heart Association
Association of Pathology Chairs
American Physiological Society
International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences
American Society for Investigative Pathology
International Society for Applied Cardiovascular Biology
College of American Pathologists
Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
International Society for Heart Research
United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Society for Cardiovascular Pathology
American Physiological Society, Cardiovascular Section, Endocrinology & Metabolism Section
American Society of Clinical Pathology
United States and Canada Academy of Pathology