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Postdoctoral Fellow
Florida State University
My primary research focus centers around the potential application of varying supplements and nutraceuticals for the improvement or prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in a variety of populations, such as smokers, diabetics, those with metabolic syndrome, and geriatrics. More specifically, I utilize a combination of techniques to assess both the macrovasculature and the microvasculature in order to gain a broader insight into vascular health and the interplay between both vascular systems. It is a personal belief of mine that the functionality of the entire vascular tree is paramount for the prevention of CVDs and other chronic disease conditions. Through my current research I endeavor to investigate and identify the true potential of commercialized supplements, identifying those that achieve their advertised applications and those that do not. The ultimate goal being the identification of those nutraceuticals that truly contribute to the improvement of vascular health, and the dissemination of these research findings to the general public in a manner that is clear and understandable to all. I have secured grant funding and have been both a Principle Investigator and a consultant on funded projects, and contribute to a multitude of collaborative research efforts with professors from other backgrounds including food science, nutrition, geriatrics, biomedical, and neuropsychology. I have had extensive training and experiences in all aspects of clinical trials including grant submission, writing, IRB communication and submission, day-to-day operations (time management, scheduling, recruiting), participant handling, data collection/management, laboratory techniques, and statistical analyses. I also have practical experience and serve in a teaching capacity for a multitude of vascular specific techniques such as flow mediated dilation, microvascular near infrared spectroscopy, pulse wave velocity and analysis, and microdialysis. My current graduate career has been under the expert supervision of Dr. Robert C. Hickner, well-known for his skills and expertise in microcirculation, microvascular blood flow, and interstitial free radical monitoring.