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Cellular and Molecular Physiology
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Meet the Faculty
| VIRGINIA CAMPUS CHAIR | |
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Christopher M. Reilly, Ph.D. Department Chair, Associate Professor Tele: 540-231-5345 |
ABOUT DR. REILLY:
Christopher M. Reilly is an Associate Professor and teaches pulmonology, endocrinology, and reproduction. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in Physiology and Endocrinology and completed a three year post-doctoral fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in the department of Medicine division of rheumatology where he began studying lupus nephritis. He was a research Assistant Professor at MUSC until 2002 until he come to VCOM. His research centers on autoimmunity and lupus nephritis. In his laboratory, he investigates the triggers that activate the innate immune system and produce the uncontrolled inflammatory response observed in lupus patients. The laboratory employs animal models and molecular approaches to answers basic questions as to how the immune system becomes dysregulated. His research is funded by the NIH and the Arthritis Foundation.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DR. REILLY. 
| CAROLINAS CAMPUS CHAIR | |
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Carol A. Brenner, Ph.D.
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EXPERTISE:
Reproductive biology, genetics, embryology, cell biology and stem cell biology
ABOUT DR. BRENNER:
Carol Brenner, Ph.D. is an experienced reproductive biologist with expertise in primate IVF, preimplantation genetics, embryology, cell biology and stem cell biology. She has directed NIH-supported extramural and intramural research to investigate chromosomal and mitochondrial anomalies in primate oocytes, embryos, and embryonic stem cells. Her work focuses mechanisms of aneuploidy and mitochondrial function and dynamics during primate oocyte, peri-implantation and stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. Her role on this project will be to develop genetic diagnostic tests in these proposed studies is to develop methodology to screen chromosomal aneuploidies and single gene defects using small numbers of transcervical trophoblast cells collected by collaborating scientists and physicians. Dr. Brenner is well suited to develop such technology since many of these approaches were developed at Saint Barnabus Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Science in collaboration with Jacques Cohen, Richard Scott and Santiago Munne. Dr. Brenner will work with Dr. Armant and all other personnel participating in this research to perfect the genetic methods under development for prenatal diagnosis. She will assist Dr. Armant prepare publications and public presentations generated by this project in the genetic methods for prenatal screening.
Carol Brenner, Ph.D. is an experienced reproductive biologist with expertise in primate IVF,
preimplantation genetics, embryology, cell biology and stem cell biology. She has directed NIH-supported extramural and intramural research to investigate chromosomal and mitochondrial anomalies in primate oocytes, embryos, embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Her research collaboration with the Perinatology Research Branch of NIH has focused on the development of disease specific amniotic fluid stem cells for regenerative medicine in collaboration with Dr. Eliason and TechTown Ventures (MitoStem).
Additionally, Dr. Brenner has been collaborating with the epigenetics core of Wayne State University, which is directed by Dr. Douglas Ruden. Previously, Dr. Brenner worked as the Director of Molecular Embryology, at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of Saint Barnabas under the direction of Drs. Jacques Cohen, Richard Scott and Santiago Munne investigating mechanisms of aneuploidy and preimplantation genetic diseases (PGD) for seven years. Her laboratory has established all of the techniques for characterizing pluripotent stem cells.
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James E. Mahaney, Ph.D.
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ABOUT DR. MAHANEY:
James Mahaney, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences and the Discipline Leader for Biochemistry at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Virginia Tech. Dr. Mahaney received his PhD degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia in 1989, and pursued post-doctoral research at the University of Minnesota Medical School. His first faculty appointment was as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1994, and in 2003, Dr. Mahaney moved to VCOM. Dr. Mahaney’s research program is designed to help elucidate the molecular mechanism of calcium transport regulation in the heart, focusing on age-based and diseased-based changes in calcium transport and it regulation. Dr. Mahaney is an active member of the Biophysical Society and serves on the Cell Transport and Metabolism grant review group for the National American Heart Association. In 2004, he received the VCOM Biomedical Educator Award – Peer Choice and the VCOM Biomedical Educator Award – Student Choice. Dr. Mahaney’s research is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DR. MAHANEY.
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Richard P. Wyeth, Ph.D.Assistant Professor Tele: 540-231-8175 |
ABOUT DR. WYETH:
Richard Wyeth teaches the molecular physiology of hemostasis and cardiovascular physiology. His research centers on the cardiovascular differences between men and women. He is investigating the role of gender in cardiovascular responses to drug abuse, the metabolic syndrome, and the efficacy of nutritional pharmaceuticals. He employs molecular, biological, biochemical, and physiological techniques to investigate these questions.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DR. WYETH.
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Selen Olgun, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Tele: 540-231-5291 |
ABOUT DR. OLGUN: Selen Olgun, M.D., Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences at VCOM. She received her M.D. degree from Ege University Medical School and her Ph.D. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She teaches Neurophysiology, Neuroanatomy, Musculoskeletal Physiology, and Acid-Base Disturbances. She is the Course Director for Neuroscience and Medical Physiology Courses for the Post-Baccalaureate Program. She served as the Course Coordinator for Neuroscience Block, and a member of VCOM Ethics Board, Via Wellness and Assessment Committees. She currently serves as a member of the VCOM Admissions Committee. Dr. Olgun is an active member of the American Physiological Society, and she was a student member of the Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, and the Society of Toxicology. She has presented at several national meetings, and published numerous articles and abstracts in immunology and molecular toxicology. She received a number of travel awards from Arthritis Foundation, Society of Toxicology, and GSA of Virginia Tech. She was the recipient of Best Poster award from the NCAC of Society of Toxicology, and Second Place award for Biomedical Sciences at VCOM Research Symposium. |
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Igor Danelisen, MD, Ph.D.Assistant Professor Tele: 540-231-8170 |
ABOUT DR. DANELISEN:
Igor Danelisen graduated from Medical School, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina and completed a postdoctoral at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He teaches Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Physiology of the Gastrointestinal system. His current research interests include the role of oxygen reactive species in pathogenesis of heart disease specifically congestive heart failure.