David Stepp
Associate Dean for Research
Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Physiology
The Graduate School
Administration
Department of The Graduate School
Other Duties
Charbonnier Chair for Physiology, Physiology
Director, USG MD-PhD Program, MCG Academic Affairs, Curriculum
Education
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Ph.D., Physiology, General
University of Pennsylvania, 1993
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BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General
University of South Carolina -, 1988
Awards & Honors
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Outstanding Faculty Award
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 2020
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Exemplary Teaching Award
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 2018
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Exemplary Teaching Award, School of Medicine
2011
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Virendra Mahesh Distinguished Research Award
2010
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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VBIO 9300
Research in Vascular Bio
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BIOM 8130
Scientific Grant Writing
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VBIO 9210
Investigation of a Prob
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VBIO 9010
Seminar in Vascular Bio
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- Obesity Induces Disruption of Microvascular Endothelial Circadian Rhythm, 2022
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Protective role of Cav-1 in pneumolysin-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction, 2022
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- The biological clock enhancer nobiletin ameliorates steatosis in genetically obese mice by restoring aberrant hepatic circadian rhythm, 2022
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Nf1 heterozygous mice recapitulate the anthropometric and metabolic features of human neurofibromatosis type 1, 2021
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Obesity and the Bidirectional Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases in African Americans: Disparity vs. Ancestry, 2021
Other
Research Interests
Work in our lab is devoted to unraveling links between obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction. While weight loss is ideal, the overwhelming majority of the obese population – either due to chronic entrainment of metabolism or behavior, increased age or accumulation of injuries – retain or regain excess weight. A critical need therefore is to break the links between obesity and its cardiovascular outcomes. The CORE HYPOTHESIS of our laboratory is that resolution of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities in obesity is the path to preventing cardiovascular disease in overweight patients. Currently, the central theme of these studies is that the balance of nitric oxide (NO) derived from eNOS and the loss of its bioavailability from NADPH Oxidase (NOX)-generated super-oxide is a key determinant of cardiometabolic health. Changes in glycemic status, either absolute levels or pattern of hyperglycemia, appear to be a primary determinant of states in which super-oxide excess reduces NO below a threshold needed for full cardiovascular function. Thus, the glucose-NOS/NOX axis in the primary focus of studies in our lab.
Professional Service
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Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
2010 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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Basic Research in Cardiology
2010 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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Frontiers in Oxidant Physiology
2010 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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Circulation Research
2009 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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American Journal of Physiology (Regulatory)
2007 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member