Expertise

My research program focuses on the regulation of cholangiocyte proliferation/damage during cholangiopathies.

My research interests also include determining the interactions that occur between cholangiocytes and other cell types (such as hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and vascular endothelial cells) in the biliary microenvironment during both cholestasis and cholangiocarcinogenesis.

I have expertise in the areas of factors that regulate hepatic/cell mitosis and apoptosis in particular the regulation of the balance of proliferation and apoptosis by bile acids, neurotransmitters, gastrointestinal hormones, and angiogenic factors.  In addition, I have expertise in epithelial transport mechanisms. I have also expertise in the regulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expressions, including microRNA and transcribed ultra-conserved regions (T-UCRs), in hepatobiliary cancers and stem cells.

Past Affiliations

Professor, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine

Distinguished Professor, Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Dr. Nicholas C. Hightower Centennial Chair, Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Professor, Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Cardiovascular and Integrative Biology

Distinguished Professor, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Research Associate, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Resnick Campus, Yeshiva University (past)

Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Professor, Internal Medicine and Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

University of the Studies of Rome

Associate Professor with Tenure, Internal Medicine and Medical Physiology

Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine and Medical Physiology

Postdoctoral Fellow, Mount Sinai Medical Center

Professor, Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Cardiovascular Research Institute, Office of Research, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (past)

Communities
Medicine
Degrees
PhD, Sapienza Università di Roma, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, 1984
BS, University of Terenzio Mamiani, Italy, Classical Studies, 1976
Keywords
liver functions pharmacy & pharmacology liver disorders growth factors cell proliferation hepatology internal medicine
Languages
English, Italian, Spanish
Honors

Nicholas C. Hightower Endowed Chair of Gastroenterology, Scott & White Hospital

Ad hoc member of the hepatobiliary pathophysiology NIH study session, NIH

Member of VA Merit Review Subcommitte (Study session member), VA, 2007-2010

VA Research Scholar Award, VA, 2004-2009

Associations
American Association for Cancer Research
American Association for Cancer Research
American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
American Gastroenterological Association
American Physiological Society
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Society of Cell Biology
European Association for the Study of the Liver
Experimental Biology and Medicine