Howard E. Gendelman, MD

Margaret R. Larson Professor of Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases and Chair, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine 

Director, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders  

Howard E. Gendelman, MD, unraveled how functional alterations in brain immunity induce metabolic changes and ultimately leads to neural cell damage for a broad range of infectious, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders. These discoveries have informed the development of therapeutics aimed at preventing, slowing, or reversing these conditions. Additionally, Dr. Gendleman has demonstrated that AIDS dementia is reversible, a finding realized at UNMC. His work has led to treatment strategies for Parkinson’s and viral diseases being tested in early clinical trials. 

Dr. Gendelman has trained more than forty scientists (students and postdoctoral fellows) who have themselves developed independent successful careers in academia and industry. His leadership is credited with the growth of the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience at UNMC to be amongst the top-like ranked and federally funded departments (top ten) nationwide. 

Laura Bilek, PhD

Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research, College of Allied Health Professions

Laura Bilek, PhD, conducts research that informs the most effective exercise for bone health across the lifespan. Recent clinical trials identified that exercise strengthens bones of early post-menopausal women by changing the size and structure of the bones, rather that increasing bone density. Additionally, Dr. Bilek is part of research teams investigating bone health in children after cancer therapy and adults after weight-loss surgery. 

Matthew C. Zimmerman, PhD

Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, College of Medicine

Director, Free Radicals in Medicine Program

Director, EPR Spectroscopy Core, Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine Doctoral Program

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a cardiovascular disease associated with increased activity of brain cells called neurons. Elevated levels of molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons have been shown to be involved in the development and progression of hypertension. Matthew C. Zimmerman, PhD, investigates the precise location of ROS generation in neurons and how these ROS control neuronal activation and how antioxidant enzymes work to decrease neuronal activation and lower blood pressure. In examining these unknowns, the laboratory strives to advance opportunities to develop new therapeutics that may need to be targeted to specific neuronal cell populations and/or subcellular compartments for the improved treatment of hypertension. 

Polina Shcherbakova, MS, PhD

Professor, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases

Courtesy Appointment, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, College of Medicine

Polina Shcherbakova, MS, PhD, studies the origin of mutations that create genetic variability and cause human diseases, particularly cancer. The majority of mutations result from errors made by DNA polymerases during genome duplication. Her research focuses on the function of these enzymes, the mechanisms controlling the accuracy of DNA synthesis, and the relationship between DNA polymerase defects and cancer. Her experimental approaches include genetic studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cultured normal and cancerous human cells and human tumor tissues, and biochemical analysis of DNA replication with purified proteins. 

Irving Zucker, PhD

Theodore F. Hubbard Professor of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, College of Medicine

Irving Zucker, PhD, studies the role of the central brain mechanisms on neurohormonal adjustments in cardiovascular regulation in the setting of experimental chronic heart failure. He and his lab are interested in the role of substances as important mediators of sympathetic excitation in chronic heart failure. A secondary interest relates to the role of cardiac sympathetic sensory endings in mediating heart failure and hypertension. These techniques are providing important new information about normal cardiovascular physiology and about the pathophysiology of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. 

Students in Dr. Zucker's laboratory learn surgical preparation of chronically instrumented animals and techniques for measuring a variety of cardiovascular parameters in awake, chronically instrumented animals. Molecular biological techniques such as Western blots, real time RT PCR, and histological techniques are routinely used. 

Kenneth W. Bayles, PhD

Vice Chancellor for Research

Professor, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine

Kenneth W. Bayles, PhD, researches the novel regulatory systems of bacteria. Using Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis as model systems, he and his laboratory have identified two sets of genes that impact these processes. Recent studies indicate that these signals include changes in proton motive force and the energy status of the cell.