Current Graduate Students
| Name & email | Year | Academic Background |
Research and Personal Statement |
|---|
Jeremy Freeman
JCFreeman@physiology.umsmed.edu
|
1 | Graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a degree in biomedical science and a minor in business | After graduating from Auburn University in 2008 with a degree in biomedical science and a minor in business, I spent a year working in an emergency room trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I have always been fascinated with science and the basic concept that one answer to a problem leads to ten more questions. I was blessed to be offered an opportunity to join the Department of Physiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a Ph D student. Physiology to me is the discipline in biological science that integrates all functions of the body. A solution to a question in physiology comes in the form of a "Eureka" moment and the eventual realization that more hard work is needed to answer the ten new questions I just uncovered. In my short time here, I have come to discover that this department is more than just researchers. It is a family striving together to understand how the human body works, and I look forward to interacting with the faculty and becoming a productive member of the department. |
Matthew Dukes
|
1 | Graduated 2009 from The University of Mississippi with an Honors B.A. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. |
As an undergraduate at The University of Mississippi, I spent a substantial amount of time engaged in biomedical research exploring topics in physiology and biochemistry. Under Dr. Randy Wadkins, I conducted an honors thesis on the osmolytic effect and its action on topoisomerase-I. For two summers, I participated in the summer internship program in physiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Working in Dr. Granger’s laboratory during the summer months, I investigated the effects of reduced uterine perfusion pressure on blood pressure and metabolic factors in pregnant rats, and the elaboration of anti-angiogenic factors that inhibit endothelial tube formation from the ischemic placenta of pregnant rats. Following graduation, I decided to enter into the Ph.D. program in physiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center because of the department’s excellence in cardiovascular and renal research. Currently, I am interested in investigating the pathophysiological role of obesity-induced alterations of metabolic factors in preeclampsia, as well as developing a mouse model of placental ischemia. After receiving my Ph.D. degree, I hope to continue as a physiologist at an academic institution in order to combine my passion for research with my enthusiasm for teaching. |
Peter Mittwede
|
1 | Graduated in 2008 from Belhaven College with a B.S. in Sports Medicine & Exercise Science. |
As an undergraduate pre-medical student at Belhaven, I spent two years doing parasite research with rats. This experience cultivated in me an interest in research, which led me to the MD/PhD program here at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I have chosen to pursue studies in medicine and in physiology because I believe they are complementary. Cardiovascular physiology in particular is fascinating to me, both because of my background in exercise science and because heart disease in prevalent in my family. I look forward to the seven years I will spend in the program. |
Emily Gilbert
|
1 | Graduated from Millsaps College in 2009 with a B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Classical Studies, and a minor in Chemistry |
This August I shall begin my first year of medical school as an M.D./Ph.D. candidate. I first became interested in this combined program in the summer of 2006 when I worked as an intern in the Physiology and Biophysics department at UMC under the direction of Dr. Michael Ryan. After continuing to participate in research in Dr. Ryan’s lab the next two summers as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, I formally decided to apply for the combined program. Currently, I am beginning work on my project to study the connection between sex steroids and the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. |
Jeremy Johnson
|
2 | Graduated 2003 from Mississippi College with a B.S.N. in Nursing as well as an R.N. from the Mississippi College School of Nursing. Later in 2008, graduated from Mississippi College Graduate School with a M.S. in Biology with emphasis in Medical Sciences. |
Since graduating in 2003, I have worked in the clinical setting as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department (ED). During that time I have published several nursing journal articles and earned certifications in both critical care and emergency nursing. Professionally, I would like to provide some insight into clinical medicine, particularly emergency medicine, with physiologic principles that effect a variety of acute treatment modalities used in the ED. My research interests include a better understanding of complex physiological processes reflected in patients in the setting of sepsis, ARDS, and/or trauma. |
Joshua Speed |
3 | Graduated from Belhaven College in 2005 with a B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Mathematics |
Following my undergraduate work, I began working as a lab technician. This is where my interest in research began. I was shown new intriguing opportunities and decided to start graduate school a year later. My work includes research on the renal medullary endothelin system and its role in different forms of salt sensitive hypertension. |
Sydney Murphy |
3 | Graduated 2006 from Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
As the granddaughter of an organic chemist, I was exposed to science at a young age. In middle school, I swabbed any and every surface to see what I could grow on petri dishes given to me by my grandfather. While in college, I took a job as a student researcher and helped in creating the BAC library for the loblolly pine. Today, as a graduate student at UMMC, I study preeclampsia and the role of angiogenic factors, such as sFlt-1, VEGF, and PlGF, as well as different cytokines that may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. I hope to continue my career through academic research in the field of physiology. |
Derrick L. Chandler |
6 | Graduated 1994 from Mississippi State University B.S. Chemical Engineering |
When I graduated from college I worked as an engineer for several years. After some time I had a growing desire to get into healthcare. I liked my background in math and science and felt that physiology would be an excellent transition in to the healthcare field. I have had a lot of opportunities while working in the physiology department to use my background in experiments from a molecular level as well as animal models. The physiology department at UMC has a very strong relationship with the clinicians and all the research I have done translates to a clinical setting. |
Kim Gannon |
6 | Graduated 2003 from Millsaps College with a B.S. in Biology, and minors in Chemistry and Music |
I am a 5th year M.D./Ph.D. candidate at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, in the department of Physiology under the direction of Dr. Heather Drummond. My career goal is to be a physician scientist; it is my aim to actively take part in the cutting edge research that will someday lead to advances in patient care and increase the health and quality of life of my patients. My clinical interest is Neurology, as well as my current research regarding the response of cerebral vessels to changes in pressure. My research focuses on the importance of the putative mechanosensitive protein, Acid Sensing Ion Channel 2 (ASIC2) in pressure-induced constriction in cerebral vessels. ASIC2 may form part of a mechanosensor that detects pressure-induced vessel stretch, the first step in initiation of the cascade to produce pressure-dependent vascular tone. This research is important for understanding the basic mechanisms of pressure-induced constriction and elucidating the pathology that could lead to vascular accidents or pressure-induced edema. |
| 7 | Graduated from LSU in 2002 with a B.S. in Biological Engineering | I am a 6 th year M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I defended my dissertation in May 2008. My dissertation project was entitled "Role of alterations in the PGI 2 pathway and potassium channel function in the impaired vascular reactivity in obesity" and was completed under the direction of Dr. Robert Hester. My career goal is to be a physician scientist at an academic institution, combining my interests in clinical and basic science research with teaching and patient care. My clinical interest is Otolaryngology, as well as microvascular research. My research focused on how vasodilatory mechanisms required for the increase in blood flow during exercise are impaired in obesity. My research helped to elucidate mechanisms underlying this impaired blood flow response. These findings included determining that the synthesis of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins such as PGI 2 is decreased in the skeletal muscle vasculature of obese animals and that the sensitivity of potassium channels required for vasodilation such K ATP channels is decreased in the vasculature. This research is important for understanding the basic mechanisms by which obesity impairs skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. |
