Shea Gilliam-Davis, PhD
Research Fellow
Education: B.S. Biology, 2000, Norfolk State University; Ph.D. Physiology & Pharmacology, 2009, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Laboratory Department: Hypertension and Vascular Research Center
E-mail: sgilliam@wfubmc.edu
Advisors: Dr. Mark Chappell, Dr. Debra Diz
Current Research:
My graduate research involved investigating the timing and potential mechanisms of activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its connection to renal injury during aging. Our studies also aim to further determine the actions of the intrarenal RAS. The intrarenal RAS is regulated differently from the circulating system, however, the exact mechanisms behind this divergent regulation are not completely known. We have assessed the influence of such factors such as age, blood pressure, renal nerve activity and proteinuria. I am currently in the beginning of a post-doctoral fellowship where the area of research focuses on the role of the RAS and gender differences in the regulation of blood pressure and renal injury. My post-doctoral research will continue to focus on renal pathophysiology, with an emphasis on gender differences in aging.
Publication:
Gilliam-Davis S, Payne VS, Kasper SO, Tommasi EN, Robbins MEC, Diz DI.
Long-term AT1 Receptor Blockade Improves Metabolic Function and Provides Renoprotection in Fischer 344 Rats. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2007;293: H1327-1333.
Abstracts:
Gilliam-Davis S, Payne VS, Kasper SO, Tommasi EN, Robbins MEC, Diz DI.
Blood Pressure Independent Reduction in Insulin, Leptin and Body Weight in Fisher 344 Rats after AT1 Receptor Blockade for One-Year. FASEB 19(5); A100[87.1], 2005
Gilliam-Davis S, Payne VS, Kasper SO, Tommasi EN, Robbins MEC, Diz DI.
Differential Regulation of Circulating and Intra-Renal Renin-Angiotensin Systems and Improved Metabolic Function in Fisher 344 Rats after Long-Term AT1 Receptor Blockade. Hypertension 46: 818, 2005
Diz DI, Gilliam-Davis S, Payne VS, Tommasi EN, Robbins ME
Effects of Chronic AT1 Receptor Blockade on Blood Pressure, Insulin, Leptin and Body Weight in Fisher 344 Rats One Year Post-Whole Brain Irradiation. Hypertension 46: 831,2005
Robbins ME, Gilliam-Davis S, Payne VS, Tommasi EN, Diz DI
Whole Brain Irradiation Reduces Insulin, Leptin and Body Weight in Fisher 344 Rats One Year Post-Treatment: Effects of AT1 Receptor Blockade. Accepted for poster presentation at Radiation Research Society
Gilliam-Davis S, Tommasi EN, Garcia-Espinosa MA, Chappell MC, Diz DI
Effects of Bilateral Renal Denervation on Blood Pressure in Older Sprague-Dawley Rats. FASEB J 20(5); A1209[748.32], 2006
Gilliam-Davis S, Chappell MC, Diz DI. Elevated Angiotensin I and Creatinine Excretion Precede the Increase in Proteinuria during Aging in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Hypertension 50:4 [e121] (P131), 2007
Kasper SO, Gilliam-Davis S, Groban L, Carter CS, Sonntag WE, Chappell MC, Diz DI Effects of Aging and Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Blockade on the Intra-renal RAS in Older Fischer 344 X Brown Norway Rats. FASEB J 22; 735.11, 2008
Gilliam-Davis S, Gallagher PE, Payne V, Kasper SO, Tommasi EN, Robbins ME, Diz DI
Long-term Systemic Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Alters Expression of Renin-Angiotensin System Components in Dorsomedial Medulla of Fischer 344 Rats Hypertension 52:4 [e82] (P24), 2008
Gilliam-Davis S, Tommasi EN, Garcia-Espinosa MA, Chappell MC, Diz DI
Bilateral Renal Denervation Transiently Lowers Blood Pressure and Delays the Development of Proteinuria in Aging Sprague-Dawley Rats. FASEB J 23; 1015.2, 2009
Gilliam-Davis S, Tommasi EN, Garcia-Espinosa MA, Chappell MC, Brosnihan BK, Diz DI. Bilateral Renal Denervation Prevents Age-related Proteinuria without Altering Excretion of Intrarenal Angiotensin Peptides in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Accepted to Council for High Blood Pressure Research , 2009
Contributed Talks:
Differential Regulation of Circulating and Intra-Renal Renin-Angiotensin Systems and Improved Metabolic Function in Fisher 344 Rats after Long-Term AT1 Receptor Blockade. 59th Annual Fall Conference and Scientific Sessions of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research in Association with the Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, Washington, DC, 2005
Effects of Aging and Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Blockade on the Intra-renal RAS in Older Fischer 344 X Brown Norway Rats. Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA, 2008
Honors and Awards:
APS/NIDDK Minority Travel Fellowship Award (2009)
APS/NIDDK Minority Travel Fellowship Award (2006)
WFU Alumni Travel Award (2005)
ASPET Minority StudentTravel Award (2005)
American Physiological Society (APS)/NIDDK Minority Travel Fellowship Award (2005)
Cum Laude (2000)
Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society (1998)
Golden Key National Honor Society (1997)
Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) Scholar (1996-2000)
Spartan Alpha Tau Honor Society (1996)