Expertise

Ongoing research currently includes determining:

  • the role of cardiac mast cells, cytokines (i.e., TNF-alpha), and adhesion proteins (i.e., integrins) in myocardial remodeling and in maintaining normal ventricular shape, size, and function.
  • the role of myocardial matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation.
  • the temporal response at the cellular and organ level in cardiac myocyte remodeling responsible for hypertrophy and dilatation.
  • the role of angiotensin II mediated myocardial hypertrophy and damage in the pathogenesis of heart failure.
  • the mechanisms responsible for the gender related differences in myocardial remodeling and the cardioprotective effects of female sex hormones and or phytoestrogens.

Dr. Brower's duties include the design and delivery of the curriculum linked to the anatomical sciences, including the integration of radiology and ultrasound imaging relevant to clinical anatomy and advanced anatomy electives. 

Specialties: Gross Anatomy; Physiology; Medical Simulation; Laboratory Animal Medicine; Point of Care Ultrasound

Past Affiliations

Assistant Research Professor, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University (past)

Centenary Associate Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine Columbia, University of South Carolina (past)

Degrees
PhD, Auburn University, Biomedical Sciences, 1998
DVM, Texas A&M University, Veterinarian Medicine , 1987
BS, Texas A&M University, Veterinary Science, 1985
Keywords
animal physiology or morphology veterinary medicine animal models cardiovascular system pharmacy & pharmacology heart failure diabetes hypertension extracellular matrix pathogenesis cardiology cardiopulmonary chest medicine anatomy biochemistry & molecular biology cytokines
Languages
English
Associations
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
American Heart Association
American Physiological Society
American Society for Investigative Pathology
American Veterinary Medical Association
International Society for Heart Research
Phi Zeta
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society