Aging Biology Faculty
Track Leader-Steven Barger, Ph.D.

Steven Barger, Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
Cell biology of Alzheimer's disease; transcriptional regulation in neurons
bargerstevenw@uams.edu

Teresita Bellido, Ph.D. (Medicine) Web profile
Signal transduction in bone cells. Regulation of bone cell apoptosis. Osteocyte biology. Skeletal effects and mechanism of action of bisphosphonates, steroid hormones, parathyroid hormone, and mechanical forces.
tmbellido@uams.edu

Helen Benes, Ph.D. (Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences) Web profile
Insect models (fruitflies, mosquitoes) to study molecular basis for regulated gene activity, in response to gender, nutrition, aging and oxidative stress, for insight into human reproductive development, diseases of aging, including cardiac ischemia.
beneshelen@uams.edu

Yuzhi Chen, Ph.D. (Geriatrics)Web profile
Protein degradation and signaling in Alzheimer's disease; stem cell development in neurodegeneration and cancer
ChenYuzhi@uams.edu

Craig Cooney, Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Web profile
We study maternal effects in mice, aging in mice and the epigenetics of human cancer. Our research with maternal diets or alcohol focuses on lasting changes in mouse offspring. In adult mice we study the causes and effects of aging, especially how changes in epigenetics affect lifespan. Our research on cancer includes study of human tumors and tissue culture cells. All of these studies include analysis and/or modification of epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation and histone modification). Our long term research aims are the improvement of maternal nutrition, the prevention of birth defects, nontoxic therapies for cancer treatment and prevention, and improved longevity in mice and humans.
cooneycraiga@uams.edu

William Evans, Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
evanswilliamj@uams.edu

Dana Gaddy, Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics) Web profile
Our laboratory focuses on the endocrine, cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the maintenance of the musculoskeletal system, with particular focus on the normal and pathophysiological changes associated with age, disuse, menopause, and metastatic disease.
gaddydana@uams.edu

Sue Griffin, Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
Our interest centers on the influence of neuroinflammatory cytokines, in particular interleukin-1, in the genesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's disease, Down’s syndrome, AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease.
GriffinSueT@uams.edu

Nicholas Hays, Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
My research interests are examining age-related changes in energy regulation, macronutrient metabolism, nutrition, and physiology, with emphasis on developing dietary and exercise interventions that will improve the health and function of older adults.
haysnicholasp@uams.edu

Masahiro Higuchi, Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) Web profile
Roles of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA on cancer progression and aging
Mhiguchi@uams.edu

Joan McEwen, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Immunology) Web profile
mcewenjoane@uams.edu

Charles O'Brien,Ph.D. (Endocrinology) Web profile
Cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for osteoporosis.
caobrien@uams.edu

Robert J.S. Reis, D. Phil. (Geriatrics) Web profile
Genetics of longevity; role of homologous recombination in oncogenesis and cancer progression.
rjsr@uams.edu

Larry Suva, Ph.D. (Physiology and Biophysics) Web profile
Research interests are broad, but primarily associated with understanding the skeletal consequences of disease.
suvalarryj@uams.edu

Jeanne Wei, M.D., Ph.D.(Geriatrics) Web profile
My research interests include the effect of age on cardiovascular homeostasis, transcription regulation and cardiac function. Current projects include both clinical and laboratory studies
WeiJeanne@uams.edu

Robert R. Wolfe, Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
Regulation of muscle metabolism, particularly as affected by aging and stressors such as injury, sepsis and cancer.
rwolfe2@uams.edu

Xiaomin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. (Geriatrics) Web profile
Our primary interest is transcriptional regulation of gene expression in senescence, especially the role of serum response factor (SRF) and SRF cofactors in the regulation of cardiac genes in the process of adult aging.
ZhangXiaomin@uams.edu

Piotr Zimniak, Ph.D. (Pharmacology and Toxicology) Web profile
Physiological and toxicological role of lipid peroxidation, in particular the electrophile product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Experimental systems include mice and nematode C. elegans. The focus of current work is on the effect of 4-HNE on obesity and on organismal aging.
zimniakpiotr@uams.edu