Grazyna Nowak, Ph.D.
Professor, Interim Chair
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Education & Training
University of Poznan, Poznan, Poland (M.S. 1976, Biochemistry)
Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland (Ph.D. 1983; Physiology, Endocrinology)
Medical University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark (Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 1983-84)
University of Georgia, Athens, GA (Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 1990-94)

Teaching Responsibilities
Pharm.D. Curriculum
Biological and Cellular Chemistry (PhS3214): Enzymology, Bioenergetics, Glycolysis, Oxidative Metabolism, Cholesterol Metabolism, Biological Membranes, Transport Across Membranes, Second Messengers, Biosignaling, Biosignaling and Cancer, Integration of Metabolism, Mechanisms of Cell Death. 

Research & Scholarly Interests
My research is focused on investigating the mechanisms that regulate renal cell injury, regeneration and repair following injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion, hypoxia and nephrotoxicants. Primary focus of these studies is mitochondrial function and its regulation by protein kinases during injury and repair and how ischemia/reperfusion, drugs and xenobiotics alter this regulation. Other projects include investigation of the mechanisms of apoptosis in renal cells. In vivo model of renal ischemia/reperfusion and in vitro model of primary cultures of kidney cells are utilized to determine signal transduction pathways and protein kinases that play a role in the regeneration and repair of mitochondrial and transport functions. These research projects utilize transgenic animals and a variety of techniques including molecular biology techniques, proteomics, histology, fluorescent imaging, flow cytometry, and mitochondrial and biochemical assays. The goal of these studies is to develop new therapeutic strategies that decrease injury or accelerate recovery from ischemia/reperfusion- and nephrotoxicant-induced acute kidney injury.

Honors & Awards
1983    Postdoctoral Fellowship, Danish Ministry of Education
1991    Travel Award, American Thyroid Association
2003    Toxicology Letters; Editorial Board, Member
2005    NIH/NIDDK Special Emphasis Panel Study Section, Reviewer
2006    NIH/NIDDK Loan Repayment Program, Special Emphasis Panel Study Section, Reviewer
2006    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Editorial Board, Member
2007    NIH/NIDDK, Pathobiology of Kidney Disease (PBKD) Study Section, ad hoc Reviewer
2007    NIH/NIDDK Special Emphasis Panel Study Section, Reviewer
2007    Outstanding Online and Blended Course Award, Arkansas Distance Learning Association                   (ARDLA)
2007    Mentor Award, Graduate School at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2009    SoftChalk Lesson Challenge, First Honorable Mention

Memberships
American Society of Physiology
American Society of Nephrology
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

Peer-Reviewed Publications