Tim Ostrowski, M.Sc., Ph.D.

I completed my M.Sc. (in Biology/Zoology, 2006) and Ph.D. (in Neuroscience, 2009) at the University of Göttingen (Germany). My research focused on the electrophysiological properties of auditory neurons in the bush cricket Ancistrura nigrovittata. I continued this research of auditory neurons in my first post-doc (until 2010) at the biological department of the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO). In my second post-doc (until 2015; biomedical department at University of Columbia) I studied the properties of nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) neurons in response to reactive oxygen species; and the role of serotonin receptor 1A in the nTS and cardiorespiratory control. I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (A.T. Still University). Besides my involvement in workshops for various organ systems, I teach Physiology and Neuroscience lectures to medical and dental students in a team-taught setting. In the laboratory, the overall goal of my research is to identify the cardiorespiratory changes that are associated with brainstem alterations in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

DAniela Ostrowski, M.Sc., Ph.D.

I was born in Germany, completed my Diploma in Biology in 2005, and received my Ph.D. in Neurobiology in 2009 at the University of Göttingen (Germany). I had two postdoctoral research positions at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Since the beginning of my career, neuroplasticity has been the central focus of my research interest. Early on, I studied fundamental principles of neuroplasticity using a variety of invertebrate preparations. I am extensively trained in molecular, cellular, and behavioral research methods (e.g. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, in vitro primary cell cultures, and learning and memory paradigms). During my second postdoctoral period, I studied cardiorespiratory plasticity in rats following challenges with low oxygen. This topic provided me with the perfect opportunity to unravel basic mechanisms of neuroplasticity under pathophysiological conditions and participate in clinically relevant research that translates to an understanding of diseased conditions in humans. I joined Truman State University in 2016, teaching introductory and higher level courses for Biology majors and nursing students. Since 2023 I joined the Pharmacology department at KCOM-ATSU. My research aims to understand the cellular mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using a rodent animal model. My students learn the method of Western Blot and immunohistochemistry to identify protein expression changes in the brain that lead to the AD-like phenotypes. 

Khrystyna Sukhanova, Ph.D.

I received my Ph.D in Biophysics in 2016 at Bogomoletz Institute of physiology (Kyiv, Ukraine). I studied mechanisms of [Ca2+]i signalling in arterial smooth muscle cells following ionotropic purinergic receptor activation using confocal microscopy and electrophysiology (patch clamp). My principal research interest is investigation of different type of ion channels, especially, voltage-dependent sodium (NaV) and calcium  (CaV) channel subtypes in heart and nerve cells. In my first postdoctoral research I worked on different type of NaV channels to study modulation TTX-resistant NaV channels by muscle metabolites (substances released by the muscle during contraction) and identify TTX-sensitive NaV channels subtypes using specific blockers to determine which TTX-sensitive channel types are expressed by these neurons. In my second postdoctoral research, I investigated biophysical properties of TTX-resistant cardiac channel NaV1.5 transfected to oocytes or HEK cells. Also, I studied biophysical properties and oligomeric structure of LRRC8/VRAC (SWELL) channels with the Self-Labeling Protein Halo-Tag, SNAP-tag, and CLIP-tag transfected to HeLa or HEK cells and specific compounds for subunits channel.

Robert Tipton, B.Sc.                 

Robert Tipton is a graduate student in the biomedical sciences program at ATSU-KCOM. He earned his B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Currently he is learning the patch clamp technique with the goal to analyze glutamatergic signaling at first order nTS neurons of the chemoreflex arc. Following completion of his thesis, he is dedicated to furthering his studies in the medical profession.

Hailey Schmitz, B.Sc.         

Hailey Schmitz is a graduate student in the biomedical sciences program at ATSU-KCOM. She earned her B.A. in Neuroscience with a minor in Leadership from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She plans to attend medical school in hopes to someday work with geriatric patients. In the laboratory she is studying oxidative stress and its influence on nTS neuronal activity in the chemoreflex axis using the streptozotocin-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jack W. Hooker IV, B.Sc.             ~ Graduate Researcher

Jack is a second year medical student at ATSU. He previously received his bachelor degree at TSU with a major in Biology (Class of 2020). Jack joined the Ostrowski lab in November 2016 and analyzes the activation of respiratory brainstem nuclei to acute hypoxia in the STZ-AD rat.

Mansi Trivedi, B.Sc.                     ~ Graduate Researcher

Mansi is a first year medical student at ATSU. She previously graduated from Truman State University with a major in Biology and Health Sciences along with a minor in Chemistry. Mansi joined the Ostrowski lab in October of 2019 and is currently studying the impact of amyloid beta on the respiratory functions in a genetic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

CAssadi Forman                         ~ Undergraduate Researcher (TSU)

I am a senior biology student at Truman State University and will be continuing my education at ATSU-KCOM in July 2023. I have been a member of the Ostrowski Lab since June 2021 and specialize in Western Blot technique. My time in the lab has been spent establishing a Western Blot protocol and analyzing baroreflex dysfunction and glutamate signaling in AD rat models.

Alicia Koogler                           ~ Undergraduate Researcher (TSU)

I am a senior Biology student at Truman State University, with minors in Mathematics, Linguistics, and Computer Science. I have been a member of the Ostrowski lab since Fall 2021. I started out working with Western Blot, but now I use Immunohistochemistry to find cellular biomarkers for early Alzheimer's rat models in the nTS (brainstem). We have looked at Glutamate signalling and reuptake, oxidative stress, and neuronal markers. Currently, my research is delving into excitatory amino acid transporters and their role in the pathology of Alzheimer's in an nTS rat model.

Thomas Schodl                          ~ Undergraduate Researcher (TSU)

I am working towards my B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a STEM Research Minor at Truman State University (TSU). My initial research interest was in protein-protein interaction biochemistry with Dr. Cassidy Dobson. During my summer research through the 2022 Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in Saint Louis I became interested in neurophysiology and the nTS. This led me to joining the Ostrowski Lab in August 2022 because I wanted to continue my research with the nTS. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I will go to graduate school to earn my PhD. Outside of the lab I enjoy photography, hiking, cinema, and spending time with my cat, Marie!