Degrees

B.S. (Pharmacy), 1990; The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy

Ph.D. (Pharmacology/Toxicology), 1994; The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy

Teaching Specialty

Pharmacology

Research Interests

Pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms whereby drugs and/or endogenous substances alter cardiac function are my primary research interests. On-going projects include investigation of the intracellular signaling pathways associated with development of cardiac hypertrophy and how drugs/xenobiotics may alter these signaling pathways. Other work involves investigation into how sex hormones influence cardiac myocyte function and elucidation of mechanisms of aging-induced alterations in calcium homeostasis in cardiac myocytes. In addition, we are interested in the design of optimal resuscitation fluids for hemorrhagic shock that are appropriate for use in the combat setting and may provide prevention of the cardiac dysfunction that ensues following hemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation.

Professional Honors

• Member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Heart Association, and Society of Toxicology.
• Member of the American Heart Association Heartland Affiliate Research Committee
• Member of the Society of Toxicology Committee on Public Communications
• External Reviewer for Biochemical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Toxicology Letters, Toxicology In Vitro
• International Editorial Board for Toxicology In Vitro
• 1997 Kappa Psi Teacher of the Year.
• The Class of 1998's Most Outstanding Professor in the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences.
• UAMS College of Pharmacy, Rho Chi Society-Sponsored Teacher of the Year Award, 1999 (Selected by the Entire Student Body).
• UAMS College of Pharmacy, Class of 2001 Teacher of the Year, 1999.

E-mail Address: MelchertRussellB@uams.edu