Johana Vallejo-Elias, Ph.D., B.Sc.

My academic appointment at Midwestern University includes a 25% effort in scholarly activity. To date, I have established an active research program in collaboration with multiple investigators. My area of expertise relates to the role of membrane microdomains such as caveolae lipid rafts in the organization of metabolic signaling cascades within the body, particularly in the vascular system. My Ph.D. training was primarily in the organization of cellular metabolism within smooth muscle with a strong emphasis in immunofluorescence techniques and confocal microscopy. My post-doctoral training in UCLA had an emphasis in the expression of potassium channels within myometrial smooth muscle during pregnancy while reinforcing my expertise in molecular and immunofluorescent techniques. Lastly, my post-doctoral experience in the Barrow Neurological Institute was the ultimate learning platform for neurological disorders and brain metabolism which helped merge all my prior training and translate it to the current topics of interest and collaborations.
- Role of caveolae membrane lipid rafts in in the organization of metabolic signaling cascades within the body, particularly in the vascular system.
- Organization of brain signaling and energy metabolism in neurological disorders and dementia.
- Expression of potassium channels and vascular dysfunctions secondary to pregnancy-related remodeling
- Obesity-induced hyperleptinemia and maintenance of potassium channel function involved in control of tongue muscle tone from hypoglossal motor neurons during obstructive sleep apnea.