Signal Transduction The department is rich in research devoted to the analysis of signal transduction pathways and their role in normal physiological processes and disease. These include studies into the basic mechanisms of signaling by oxidizing and free radical inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide, steroids, parathyroid hormone, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic hormones, and rhodopsin. Various cell biological, forward and reverse genetic, molecular biological and biophysical approaches are used to dissect the molecular mechanisms utilized by intracellular mediators of signal transduction including cell surface receptors, nuclear receptors, caveolin, protein kinases, protein phosphatases and lipid kinases. Faculty Aird, Katherine Associate Professor kaa140@pitt.edu 412-623-7709 Altschuler, Daniel Associate Professor G-protein signaling mechanisms in mitogenesis and oncogenesis altschul@pitt.edu 412.648.9751 Bisello, Alessandro Professor & Vice Chair for Experiential LearningStructure, signaling and trafficking of G-protein-coupled receptors. Role of EBP50 in vascular remodeling and role of GLP-1 in pancreatic beata cell function. alb138@pitt.edu 412-648-7347 Buj-Gomez, Raquel Research Assistant Professor rbg19@pitt.edu 412-623-3241 DeFranco, Donald Professor & Executive Vice Chair, Associate Dean for Medical Student ResearchGlucocorticoids and Neurodevelopment. Prostate cancer. dod1@pitt.edu 412-624-4259 Fazzari, Marco Assistant Professor maf167@pitt.edu 412-626-2924 Freeman, Bruce Irwin Fridovich Distinguished Professor and ChairCell Signaling; Redox Reactions freerad@pitt.edu 412-648-9319 Friedman, Peter ProfessorParathyroid hormone receptor trafficking, regulation, signaling. paf10@pitt.edu 412-383-7783 Galbiati, Ferruccio ProfessorSignal transduction mechanisms in muscular dystrophy and ageing/cancer. feg5@pitt.edu 412-648-2047 Gelhaus, Stacy Research Associate Professor; Scientific Director, Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core gstacy@pitt.edu 412-648-1351 Jacob, Tija Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Graduate Education GABA A receptor neuropharmacology and synapses, inhibition, neurodevelopment, mental health disorders. tcj11@pitt.edu 412-648-8136 Jiang, Yu ProfessorSignaling mechanisms for cell growth control; Regulation of protein kinases and phosphatases yuj5@pitt.edu 412-648-3390 Levitan, Edwin Professor & Vice Chair for Research OperationsNeurotransmission, channels and signaling. elevitan@pitt.edu 412-648-9486 Neumann, Carola Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Precision and Translational Pharmacology can44@pitt.edu 412-641-7725 Pagano, Patrick Professor; Assistant Dean for Graduate StudiesDevelopment of peptic, viral and small molecular inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and reactive species to assess NOX involvement in cardiovascular disease as well as to devise new therapies pagano@pitt.edu 412-383-6505 Pena, Karina Research Instructor kapena@pitt.edu 412-383-8831 Schopfer, Francisco Professor & Vice Chair for Biotechnology Development fjs2@pitt.edu 412-648-0193 Sharrow, Allison Research Assistant Professor AllisonSharrow@pitt.edu Shiva, Sruti Professor & Vice Chair for Academics and Equity Associate Director, Vascular Medicine InstituteThe mechanisms by which reactive nitrogen species regulate mitochondrial function and signaling, particularly in conditions of hypoxia or ischemia. sss43@pitt.edu 412-383-5854 Singh, Shivendra Professor and UPMC Chair in Cancer Prevention ResearchThe Singh laboratory focuses on preclinical and clinical investigations of novel agents derived from dietary (eg, broccoli) and medicinal plants (eg, Withania somnifera) for chemoprevention of cancers. svs2@pitt.edu 412-623-3262 Stabile, Laura Research Associate Professor stabilela@upmc.edu 412-623-2015 Straub, Adam Professor & Vice Chair, Research; Assistant Dean of Basic Sciences Faculty AffairsRedox signaling mechanisms in the microcirculation. astraub@pitt.edu 412-648-2790 Trebak, Mohamed Professor trebakm@pitt.edu 412-648-1381 Vilardaga, Jean-Pierre ProfessorUnderstanding molecular mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling and trafficking. jpv@pitt.edu 412-648-2055 Wang, Qiming Jane ProfessorTargeting protein kinase D by small molecular inhibitors for cancer therapy; signaling mechanisms of protein kinase D in cancer. qjw1@pitt.edu 412-383-7754 Wood, Katherine Research Assistant Professor katherine.wood@pitt.edu Zhang, Cheng Associate ProfessorStructural basis for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling; development of GPCR antibodies through protein engineering. chengzh@pitt.edu 412-383-8044