1. Regulation of nuclear protein import in vascular cells
2. The effects of infection on atherosclerosis
3. The role of oxidized low density protein (LDL) in atheorsclerosis
4. The effect of natural health products on atherosclerosis, vascular function and heart function during ischemic challenge
5. The role of Na/Ca exchange in ischemic injury to the heart
6. Diabetic heart disease and the regulation of diabetes with insulinomimetic agents.

Academic Achievements

• B.P.H.E.(Hon), Lakehead Univ., 1976
• M.Sc., Dalhousie Univ., 1979
• Ph.D. (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1983
• HSFC Postdoctoral Fellow (Physiology), UCLA, 1983-86
• Assistant Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1986-90
• Associate Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1990-94
• Professor (Physiology), Univ. of Manitoba, 1994-present
• Executive Director, Research Enterprise, St. Boniface General Hospital, 2006 -

Research Interests

1. Cardiac Cation Transport:
   1. Studies of the response of the heart to ischemic challenge. Pharmacological modulation of ion movements in the heart will be studied to determine mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction and damage. Characterization will be carried out at tissue, cell and subcellular levels.
   2. The effects of acute and chronic exercise on cardiac function will be investigated. Adaptation of cardiac subcellular organelles to these forms of conditioning will be monitored to provide information on the mechanism for functional changes.
2. Smooth Muscle Cation Transport:
   • Studies of the characteristics of arterial smooth muscle cation flux and factors which regulate it will be undertaken. Particular emphasis will be given to smooth muscle cell Ca²⁺ flux in atherosclerotic conditions. These studies will be extended to include an examination of the membrane biochemistry of ion transport in smooth muscle.