Rate My Professor Dave Kurjiaka

Kurjiaka explores the role of gap junctions in vascular function, including cell-to-cell communication that coordinates vessel diameter, vascular resistance, growth, and differentiation of smooth muscle and endothelial cells. His investigations include gap junction-mediated differentiation of mesenchymal cells into smooth muscle cells via connexin 43 and soluble factors from endothelial calcium release, regulation of connexin 40 communication, and diminished vasomotor responses in hypertensive models. He teaches BMS 202 Anatomy Physiology Laboratory, BMS 290 Human Physiology, BMS 495 Concepts in Wellness focusing on cardiovascular disease, and BMS 508 Advanced Human Physiology. Key publications include 'Leukocyte inspired biodegradable particles that selectively and avidly adhere to inflamed endothelium in vitro and in vivo' (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 2003), 'Connexin45 regulates endothelial-induced mesenchymal cell differentiation toward a mural cell phenotype' (Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2013), 'Chronic hindlimb ischemia impairs functional and vascular reactivity in mouse feed arteries' (Frontiers in Physiology, 2011), 'Hypertension attenuates cell-to-cell communication in hamster retractor muscle feed arteries' (American Journal of Physiology, 2005), and 'Regulation of gap junctional charge selectivity in cells coexpressing connexin 40 and connexin 43' (American Journal of Physiology, 2009).