Physiology News - Winter 2024 - University of Mississippi Medical Center

Message from the Chair

Welcome to Physiology News. In this issue, we highlight a few achievements of selected trainees, staff, and faculty members of the department, who each play a vital role in achieving our mission of excellence in research, education, and service.

Top investigators recognized with Excellence in Research Awards

The Medical Center presented 23 platinum, gold, silver, and bronze medallions to faculty who have been most successful at garnering extramural funds during their careers at UMMC. For Physiology, this included awards presented to Dr. David Stec, Platinum Medallion; Dr. John Clemmer, Silver Medallion; and Dr. Barbara T. Alexander, the Meritorious Research Award for Faculty.

Research Spotlight: Dr. Olufunto Badmus

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease patients worldwide. Dr. Olufunto Badmus, an instructor in the laboratory of Dr. David Stec, is currently supported by a postdoctoral research grant from the American Heart Association as she investigates how non-alcoholic fatty liver disease promotes cardiovascular disease as well as the metabolic role of bilirubin and biliverdin reductase in hepatic steatosis.

Former Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Thomas Lohmeier

Dr. Thomas "Tom" Lohmeier began his career in our department in 1975. He retired in 2014 but returned as professor emeritus until 2019. The focus of his research was on neurohormonal mechanisms in the control of blood pressure.

Academy inductee Dr. Saurabh Bhardwaj, left, associate professor of psychiatry, accepts his certificate and congratulations from fellow academy initiate, Dr. Rob Rockhold, professor emeritus of pharmacology/toxicology and chair of the academy's membership committee.

Burgeoning academy of top educators welcomes new round of honorees

Although it remains a small, select “community of educators,” it almost doubled in size during a ceremony appropriately staged in the Norman C. Nelson Student Union, a Medical Center building named for a UMMC legend known as a master teacher and champion of students. The same can be said of those inducted into an academy dedicated to nurturing great teaching. From Physiology, Dr. Barbara T. Alexander joined the ranks of inaugural inductees Dr. John Hall and Dr. Thomas Adair who were inducted last year.

Former Student Spotlight: Dr. Peter Mittwede

Dr. Peter Mittwede was a MD/PhD student in our department from 2009 to 2016. He is now an assistant professor at UMMC in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the Division of Orthopedic Trauma.

Awards and Funding

Review recent awards and grants for members of the department.

Physiologists in Training Distinguished Lecture

The Physiologists in Training Distinguished Lecture is a trainee-organized distinguished lecture. It provides an opportunity for trainees and faculty to hear from distinguished scientists who have made major scientific contributions in their fields. Each speaker is selected by the trainees of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. In Fall of 2023, trainees hosted Dr. Alyssa Hasty, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor and Chair, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Staff Spotlight: Brent Shows

Brent Shows has been a member of the physiology department since 2002 as our IT support analyst specialist. He retired in 2022 but came back to work part time. Brent is an integral part of the department, and we enjoy working with him.

Publications

See a selected list of publications from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, including recent additions.

Winter 2024