Bio
Maria Alicia Carrillo Sepulveda specializes in vascular physiology. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which diabetes leads to microvascular and macrovascular complications. The primary goal of her lab work is to better understand how diabetic conditions alter key molecular mediators that are essential for maintaining vascular integrity. These studies focus on identifying potential targets that will alleviate diabetes-induced vascular complications such as atherosclerosis, coronary disease, and hypertension.
While transitioning to assistant professor at NYITCOM, Sepulveda became interested in investigating the role of epigenetics modification in the development of vascular dysfunction in diabetes. To address this question, her laboratory has used different approaches, such as human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells primary cultures exposed to different diabetic agents, as well as db/db mice as a type II diabetes animal model. Moreover, in collaboration with a group under the leadership of Martin Gerdes, Ph.D., her lab concluded that there is a direct effect of thyroid hormone in the vascular system. Her efforts are focused on utilizing an integrative approach to examine how the thyroid hormone could benefit diabetic vascular dysfunction.
Sepulveda received her Ph.D. from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and specialization in cardiology from its Heart Institute. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University State Campinas-Brazil. Lastly, Sepulveda received her post-doctoral training in hypertension from the University of Iowa-Department of Pharmacology and in diabetes from Medical College of Georgia-Department of Physiology.
Recent Projects + Research
- Epigenetic Modifications in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Vascular Dysfunction
- The Protective Role of Ellagic Acid in High Glucose-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction
- Thyroid Hormone Potentiates Vascular Relaxation: a Potential Therapeutic Approach to Treat Diabetic Vascular Dysfunction
Publications
- Carrillo-Sepulveda MA, Spitler K, Pandey D, Berkowitz D, Matsumoto T. Inhibition of TLR4 attenuates vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2015 July.
- Carrillo-Sepulveda MA, Keen HL, Davis DR, Grobe JL, Sigmund CD. Role of vascular smooth muscle PPARy in regulating AT1 receptor signaling and angiotensin II-dependent hypertension. PlosOne. 2014 August.
- Hardigan T, Spitler K, Matsumoto T, Carrillo-Sepulveda MA. Activation of Toll-like receptor 3 increases mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cell contractility through ERK1/2 pathway. Pflugers Arch European Journal of Physiology. 2015 March.
- Gerdes AM, Carrillo-Sepulveda MA. Thyroid Hormone: A Therapy for Diabetic Vascular Complications? Thyroid Disorders & Therapy. 2015 January.
- Carrillo-Sepulveda MA, Matsumoto T, Nunes KP, Webb RC. Dysregulated G protein-coupled receptors in diabetes-associated vasculopathy. Acta Physiologica. 2014 March.
View a complete list of publications
Honors + Awards
- Recognition Award for a Young Investigator from American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Experimental Biology, 2014
- Council New Investigator Travel Award from High Blood Pressure Research-American Heart Association, 2013
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship from American Heart Association, 2012
- Kidney Council New Investigator Travel Award from High Blood Pressure Research-American Heart Association, 2011
- Recognition Award for Meritorious Research by a Young Investigator from the American Physiological Society Cardiovascular Section and Experimental Biology, 2011
Courses Taught at NYIT
- Physiology of the Female and Male Reproductive System
- Physiology of the Respiratory System