Department of Pharmacodynamics
Department of Pharmacodynamics
Michael J. Katovich, Ph.D.
Professor, and Graduate Coordinator
Department of Pharmacodynamics
University of Florida
PO Box 100487
Gainesville, FL 32610-0487
Office: (352) 273-7690
Lab: (352) 373-7697
Fax: (352) 273-7705
Office: P1-33
katovich@cop.ufl.edu
PubMed Publications
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests
The Katovich Lab studies the various components of the endocrine renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and their effects on hypertension and associated cardiovascular organ damage. Over the past several years more components of the RAS have been elucidated and we have utilized gene therapy approaches to enhance and/or modify certain aspects of the RAS in order to reduce cardiovascular risks in hypertension and diabetes. We utilize in vivo animal models as well as cell culture protocols to evaluate the physiological, pharmacological and morphological effects of manipulations of the RAS. Currently we are looking at the effects of overexpressing components of the RAS such as the AT2R, ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) in models of hypertension, stroke, and coronary artery ligation to determine the “beneficial” effects of these RAS components on various end organs. Utilization of gene therapy approaches and classical physiological methods (such as vascular smooth muscle reactivity, in vitro heart perfusion, metabolic studies, etc) aid in not only the understanding of the mechanism of actions of existing therapeutic agents but also leads to new innovative therapeutic effects in treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Laboratory Staff
Adam Mecca, MD/PhD Student : Adam has worked in the lab as an undergraduate technician since 2002. Upon graduation from UF in the spring of 2005, he was accepted into the UF College of Medicine. He has been awarded an Endocrine Society undergraduate research fellowship. Currently in MD, PhD program. Passed his qualifying. Research focused on neuroprotective actions of AT2R overexpression in a stroke model.
Vinayak Shenoy, PhD. Vinayak joined the department in 2005 and the Katovich lab in 2006. Passed Qualifying exam and now concentrating on his research project that investigates the actions of ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) in pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.
YanFei Qi, PhD. YanFei joined the department in 2005 and the Katovich lab in 2006. She passed her Qualifying exam and is focusing on her research project which is evaluating the effects of cardioprotective effects of AT2R overexpression in the heart, using a model of coronary artery ligation.
Previous Graudate Students in the Katovich Lab
Caren Beck, PhD
Justin Grobe, PhD, Post-Doc at University of Iowa with Dr Curt Sigmund
Neal Alcalay, MS, University of Kansas
Alok Pachori, PhD, Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader ( in vivo pharmacology) at Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter FL
Shridar Iyer, PhD, now MD.
Cathy Smith, PhD
Trina Stokes,MS
Pam Patton, MS, Physician’s Assistant, UF
Kelly Marks, MS
Li Fen Yeh,MS
I.C. Song, PhD, Dentist
Eme IIoeje, MS
Previous Post-Doctoral Fellows in the Katovich Lab
Phyllis Reaves, Faculty, FAMU
Bruce Wright
Orit Shechtman, Faculty, UF
David Pittman
Previous Lab Personnel in the Katovich Lab
Anthony Cometta, currently Physician
June O'Meara, Gov, State of Florida
Gina Strubbe
Kim Hanley
Lee Glancy
Stacie Pelkey
Annie McGill Weeks
Shally Wang
Justin Thomas, currently physician
Jillian Stewart, Pharmacist
Tonya Bolton, current med student
Julie Machado, current med student
Collaborators and Affiliations
Mohan K. Raizada, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics
Colin Sumners, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics
Neil E. Rowland, University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Christopher C. Barney, Hope College, Department of Biology
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