Pharmacology and Toxicology
Lillian Cruz-Orengo, Ph.D.
VM: Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology
(See also: Immunology/Infectious Disease, Neurology)
My research focuses at the neuroimmune interactions at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and its role in the neuropathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, like Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is the second leading cause of neurologic deficits in young adults and exhibits a high sex-bias affecting three times more women than men. MS is characterized by the pathologic trafficking of autoreactive-leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS). We are interested in 1) assessing the contribution of IL-20 cytokine family signaling and 2) the role of sexual dimorphisms at the BBB using the murine MS model Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE). Likewise, we want to 3) assert if Canine Immune-Mediated Encephalitis (CIME) could be characterized as a natural MS model. CIME etiology is elusive but, but there is evidence to suggest that is due to autoimmunity. Lastly, we are in the developing a model 4) to assess changes in brain microvasculature as a result to pesticide exposure using zebrafish. This model will lead to better understanding of the role that environmental factors may play in of BBB disruption and consequently on neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Keywords:
Autoimmunity, sexual bias/dimorphisms, blood-brain barrier, neuroinflammation/neurodegeneration
Dr. Cruz-Orengo can be reached at (530) 752-7318 or cruzorengo@ucdavis.edu.
Elva Diaz, PhD
Med: Pharmacology (see also: biochemistry, genetics/genomics and neuroscience)
Dr. Diaz is trained in molecular and cellular biochemistry and functional genomic approaches to understanding nervous system development. The two main areas of interest are neural proliferation and synaptic differentiation in rodent model systems. The Diaz lab uses genomic approaches such as DNA microarrays to identify genes differentially regulated in nervous system development. Individual candidates genes are studied with molecular and cellular techniques including primary neuronal culture, immunocytochemistry, electrophysiology, and transgenic mouse models. Potential projects include: 1) understanding the role of transcription factors during neural proliferation in the cerebellum and potential implications for diseases such as brain tumors; 2) dissecting the role of a novel family of transmembrane proteins in synapse development and potential implications for neurological diseases such as mental retardation and schizophrenia.
Please visit Dr. Diaz's website for more information. Email at ediaz@ucdavis.edu.
Kristin Grimsrud, DVM, PhD
Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept of Pathology, School of Medicine
Associate Director of Vivaria and Veterinary Care, Mouse Biology Program (MBP)
(See also: Anesthesia/Pain Management, Translational Research)
Not taking students in 2025
Dr. Grimsrud is a laboratory animal veterinarian and her research focuses on translational medicine and animal model optimization and development. Her current major research efforts are in collaboration with the Knockout Mouse Project, Metabolic Mouse Phenotyping Center and Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center. Additionally, she is involved in a variety of microbiota bariatric surgery research projects that utilize mouse models. Lastly, Dr. Grimsrud has a strong interest in translational clinical pharmacology where she investigates variation in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in special populations (e.g. burn patients, pediatrics) and assess the influences of polymorphisms on drug efficacy.
Research projects that students could be involved with relate to studies to optimize anesthesia and analgesia protocols, optimizing superovulation techniques in rodents and a variety of other projects related to the genetically engineered rodent models and microbiota/gnotobiotic research.
Contact Information:
Email: kngrimsrud@ucdavis.edu
Office Phone: 530-757-3220
Bruce Hammock
(See also: Biochemistry/Cellular Biology, Neurology/Neurobiology)
Dr. Hammock’s laboratory has a long collaboration with faculty and students in the school of veterinary medicine. His laboratory develops mass spectral and biosensor analytical methods for environmental contaminants and drugs in companion animals. The laboratory is working on a new branch of the arachidonic acid cascade and is developing drugs to block arthritic and laminitic inflammation in horses and inflammatory and post surgical pain in dogs and cats associated with injury, diabetes, age and other criteria.
Potential projects:
Use of inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase to potential treat disease in companion animals such as dogs and cats as well as horses and livestock species.
Pharmacokinetic analysis in development of novel pharmaceuticals for veterinary use.
Fundamental mechanism of action of regulatory lipids.
Natural food additives to expand the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acid supplements in food of companion animal and livestock species.
Development of CNS acting drugs to treat disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease and depression.
The Hammock Lab is moving a drug developed at UC Davis to treat inflammatory disease through human clinical trials. It is also useful for animal health diseases by reducing inflammation. The research for this project is both applied and basic.
See http://www.biopestlab.ucdavis.edu/ for additional information.
Peter J. Havel, DVM, PhD
Professor
Department of Molecular Biosciences
School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Nutrition
Director, Endocrinology and Metabolism Core
Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
(See also: Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Translational Medicine)
Our highly translational research program is actively investigating the regulation of energy homeostasis and carbohydrate/lipid metabolism, and involvement of endocrine systems in the pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. My laboratory is studying the mechanisms regulating the secretion of pancreatic and gastrointestinal, and adipocyte hormones. The role of endocrine, metabolic, and dietary factors in regulating energy balance, insulin action, and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism is studied in animal models (rodents and nonhuman primates) and humans. We are conducting studies on the prevention and treatment of diabetes in a rat model of type 2 diabetes developed in our laboratory (UCD-T2DM Rat) that is more similar in pathophysiology to type 2 diabetes in humans than other available models (Am. J. Physiol., 2008). We have used the UCD-T2DM model for 15 additional published studies on the pathophysiology of T2DM and for investigating pharmacological and surgical approaches for the treatment and prevention of T2DM. We have been involved in clinical studies and experiments in animal models investigating the effects of bariatric surgery procedures on how these endocrine changes are involved in improvements of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and the resolution of type 2 diabetes observed after surgery. Another major focus of the research is the role of diet composition (such as dietary fat and fructose) in the development and progression of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia including studies in animal models and clinical studies in humans. In addition, our laboratory has been conducting translational studies funded by the NIH, ADA, and pharmaceutical/ biotechnology industry sources at the California National Primate Research Center in a diet-induced rhesus monkey model of metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia (Clinical. Trans. Sci., 2011, ILAR Journal, 2017) as extensions of our studies in rodent models and as preclinical investigations that generate data and hypotheses that are then tested in clinical studies in humans. We have demonstrated that consumption of fructose, but not glucose-sweetened beverages for 10 weeks increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in humans (J. Clin. Invest., 2009). We also recently completed a comprehensive NIH-funded dose-response study of the metabolic effects of sugar- sweetened beverages (Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2015) and are currently studying the metabolic effects of dietary sugars under ad libitum versus energy-balanced conditions.
Heather Knych, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVCP
(See also: Anesthesia/Pain Management)
Dr. Knych is a clinical veterinary pharmacologist with research interests in (1) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships of drugs in performance horses (2) pain management and treatment of inflammation in horses and (3) equine drug metabolism in horses, including the identification of polymorphisms leading to altered drug clearance and therapeutic effects. The lab has a dedicated exercised (treadmill) research herd that is used for in vivo studies and a fully equipped analytical (mass spectrometry) and molecular pharmacology lab.
Please contact Dr. Knych (hkknych@ucdavis.edu) for potential projects.
Pamela Lein
Neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, neurotoxicology, seizures, asthma
VM: Molecular Biosciences (See also: Neurology, Biochemistry/Cell Biology)
The overarching goal in the Lein laboratory is to determine how environmental stressors interact with genetic susceptibilities to influence the risk and severity of neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, seizures and airway hyperreactivity. Altered patterns of connectivity are associated with functional deficits in the central and peripheral nervous systems; therefore, we are investigating how environmental contaminants, chemical convulsants and inflammation perturb neuronal connectivity as determined using biochemical, morphogenic, functional and electrophysiological endpoints. We are also developing biomarkers of OP neurotoxicity and testing novel therapeutic approaches for protecting against the neurodegenerative effects associated with chemical convulsants.
If interested, please contact Dr. Pamela Lein at pjlein@ucdavis.edu
Visit our website: https://leinlab.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/
Kent E. Pinkerton, Ph.D.
Professor of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology
(see also: cardiology, immunology, pathology/virology and pulmonary medicine)
1) To take an innovative approach in addressing air quality issues in dairy and cattle operations by the examination of direct health effects on the cardiopulmonary systems of mice and rats exposed to ambient particles using a concentrator system at the Tulare Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center.
2) To examine the effects of environmental factors (gases and particles in the air) on peri-natal development to affect lung anatomy and pulmonary function in the rat. From conception to adulthood in the rats takes approximately 6 weeks, an easy fit for one summer!
3) To measure heart rate variability as an indicator of change in autonomic control in the mouse exposed to Davis, CA summer particulates.
4) To take a comparative biology approach to elucidate mechanistic environmental pathways leading to increased susceptibility (fetal onset of adult disease).
5) To examine the role of secondhand smoke on increased susceptibility to infection (influenza).
6) To explore the role of metabolomics as an early indicator of disease (asthma, altered immune function, increased susceptibility to infection).
Dr. Pinkerton can be reached via email at kepinkerton@ucdavis.edu.
Michael Rogawski, MD, Ph.D.
Department of Neurology (see also: Neurology/Neurobiology, Translational Research/Regenerative Medicine)
Dr. Rogawski is a neurologist and pharmacologist whose research focuses on new treatment approaches for seizures, epilepsy, headache and other neurological conditions. Many of the treatment approaches involve targeting of ion channels, including GABA-A receptors, glutamate receptors, voltage-gated sodium channels and voltage-gated potassium channel. Students in the STAR program will work with a senior researcher in Dr. Rogawski’s laboratory on an independent project related to one of the diverse areas of interest to the group. Research in the laboratory utilizes animal models and also cellular electrophysiology (brain slice and tissue culture). Students have an opportunity to gain experience with animal surgery, EEG recording, and testing of novel treatments in various neurobehavioral and seizure paradigms. The laboratory also conducts pharmacokinetic studies and operates a UPLC-quadrapole mass spectrometer for the measurement of drug levels. Some of the therapeutic strategies under investigation include: AMPA receptor antagonists, neuroactive steroids, dietary therapies, cannabinoids, and treatments for genetic epilepsies. Dr. Rogawski’s laboratory is a component of the UC Davis CounterACT Center of Excellence, which investigates treatments for nerve agent seizures. STAR program students may choose a project related to the activities of the CounterACT Center.
STAR students will participate in projects related to testing anti-seizure medications in mice or rats; pharmacokinetic studies; drug bioanalysis; HPLC and quadrupole mass spectrometer Students successfully completing a summer project may have an opportunity to present their research at a national meeting.
Please visit Dr. Rogawski's website at: http://mr.ucdavis.edu/
Wilson Rumbeiha DVM, PhD, DABVT, DABT
Department: Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
Affiliations: Pharmacology and Toxicology; Forensic Science, Center for Food Animal Health
Dr. Wilson Rumbeiha’s lab in The department of Molecular Biosciences, SVM has a research opportunity for a STAR student over the summer of 2023. Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is a structural fumigant for killing wood termites. The brain is the most sensitive organ to SF intoxication by inhalation; it causes neurodegeneration in the basal ganglia in animals and humans. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The goal of the study is to establish a rodent model of SF induced-neurodegeneration as the foundation to study mechanisms of neurodegeneration and therapeutic countermeasures. If this is of interest to you please reach out to Dr. Rumbeiha by email at wkrumbeiha@ucdavis.edu.
Lisa A. Tell, DVM
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (See also: Food Animal Medicine/Food Safety, Zoo Animals/Wildlife)
Dr. Tell is the Director of the Veterinary Drug Residue Laboratory and serves as the Regional Director for the Minor Use Animal Drug and the Food Animal Avoidance Database Programs. She has been a full-time faculty member of the School of Veterinary Medicine since 1994. Dr. Tell's research interests are veterinary drug pharmacokinetic studies for zoological and food animal species. She has a particular interest in treatment options for fungal diseases in birds.
Research studies in Dr. Tell's laboratory vary from pivotal data studies seeking label claims for minor food animal species (particularly goats) to clinically related pharmacokinetic studies for companion birds. Many of the food animal related studies focus on drug residues and residue avoidance in the interest of protecting public health. Research experience gained from working in Dr. Tell's laboratory varies from the in life phase of the pharmacokinetic study to the good laboratory practice bench-top research activities.
Dr. Tell is also the lead investigator for the UC Davis Hummingbird Health program that investigates diseases in free ranging hummingbirds in California. This program bands the birds, takes biometric measurements, and evaluates birds for infectious diseases.
Please Contact Dr. Tell at: latell@ucdavis.edu
Laura S. Van Winkle, Ph.D., DABT
VM: Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology
(See also: Pulmonary Medicine)
My research focus is on toxicology and pulmonary cell biology. I study cellular responses in the lung.. Airways are a key site for many human lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. Exposure to toxic air pollutants contributes to development of these diseases in humans and animals. We utilize unique in vivo and in vitro models to study airway epithelial injury and repair in diverse species from mice to monkeys. We have a substantial archive of tissue sections. My laboratories are located at the Center for Health and the Environment. Projects available include studies of: 1) The effect of inhaled particles on airway toxicology and histopathology in rats 2) Effect of inhaled toxic vapors, such as naphthalene on cytotoxicity in the nose and lung 3) Using nanoparticles to understand ultrafine particle dosimetry.
Students are invited to participate in any of these ongoing projects. Students may also conduct an original project of special interest to be completed during the summer session. Ongoing research is supported by funding from several grants from NIH.
Email - lsvanwinkle@ucdavis.edu
Luke A. Wittenburg, DVM, PhD, DACVCP
VM: Surgery & Radiology (See also: Biochemistry/Cell Biology, Oncology)
Not taking students in 2025
Dr. Wittenburg is a veterinary clinical pharmacologist with basic research interests in cancer biology and investigational/developmental therapeutics for treatment of cancer in pets and people. A better understanding of the biology and response to therapy in veterinary patients with cancer is crucial to translate discoveries in our pet populations to potential therapies in humans with cancer. Dr. Wittenburg’s current projects involve aspects of clinical pharmacology (PK/PD modeling) and in vitro pharmacology (comparative metabolism of chemotherapeutic drugs across species). Much of our current focus is to study the importance of protein-protein interactions with regard to transcription factors in the development and survival of osteosarcoma. Summer project options include those that are basic science/molecular biology based and involve the use of inhibitors of transcription factor protein-protein interactions in human and canine osteosarcoma as molecular probes for identification of potential novel therapeutic targets, or clinical pharmacology based involving development and implementation of high performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) methods for quantitation of chemotherapeutic drugs in veterinary species.
Please contact Dr. Wittenburg (lwittenburg@ucdavis.edu) for more information.