Jessica L. Reynolds PhD

Jessica Reynolds

Jessica L. Reynolds
PhD

Associate Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Immunology; Infectious Disease; Neurobiology; Neuropharmacology; Viral Pathogenesis; Virology

Contact Information
6075 CTRC
875 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-888-4777
jlr8@buffalo.edu
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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

I have a strong interest in the development of therapeutic delivery tools using nanomedicine to modulate both the nervous and immune systems. I have developed a body of work in nanomedicine, which is the medical application of nanotechnology and includes a wide range of applications. Towards this end I have been developing nanotechnology and biological based delivery vehicles that target astrocytes, microglial cells, and macrophages. These cells play a prominent role in HIV and neuroAIDs pathogenesis and co-infections associated with HIV such as tuberculosis (TB). My laboratory has developed a new therapy that combines anti-TB drugs with the actions of the innate immune system, to synergistically act to eradicate pathogens. This could potentially reduce the drug dosage required, shorten treatment duration, mitigate dose-dependent toxicity, and reduce the emergence of drug resistance.

Education and Training:
  • Fellowship, NIDA Individual K01 Scholar, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2013)
  • Fellowship, NIDA Individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA), F32 Scholar,, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2008)
  • Fellowship, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2006)
  • PhD, Pathology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (2004)
  • BA, College of Liberal Arts and Science, Alfred University (1998)

Employment:
  • Interim Co-Vice Chair for Research, Medicine, UB (2024-present)
  • Associate Professor with tenure, Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2021-present)
  • Vice Chair for Faculty Development, Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2018-present)
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Graduate Faculty, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Associate Director of Work Force Development Core, UB CTSI (2018-present)
  • Vice Chair for Faculty Development-Medicine, University at Buffalo (2018-present)
  • Proposal Development Officer, University at Buffalo- Dep Medicine (2013-present)
  • Associate Director of Work Force Development Core, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2018–2022)
  • Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019–2021)
  • Research Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2014–2019)
  • Proposal Development Officer, Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2013–2018)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2012–2014)
  • Research Assistant Professor, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2008–2012)
  • Teaching Assistant, Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1998–2003)
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Awards and Honors:
  • Mentor of the Year (2024)
  • Distinguished Biomedical Alumna (2022)
  • Outstanding Mentorship in Research- Medicine (2017)
  • Early Career Investigator Award, Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2015)
  • Invited panel speaker, American Society for Nanomedicine (2014)
  • American Society for Nanomedicine Travel and Top Abstract Award (2014)
  • Invited panel speaker and Travel Award, American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Annual Meeting (2014)
  • Invited panel speaker and chair, Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI), Clinical Research Conference (2014)
  • NIDA Workshop: Informatics for Data and Resource Discovery in Addiction Research Travel Award (2010)
  • NIDA Mini-Convention: Frontiers in Addiction Research Travel Award (2007)
  • Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology Young Investigator Travel Award (2005)
  • College on Problems of Drug Dependence Early Career Investigator Travel Award (2005)
  • University at Buffalo Research Assistantship (2003)
  • Letter of Excellence in Pathology (2000)

Research Expertise:
  • Drug abuse, HIV and Blood brain Barrier: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 patients who abuse opiates are at a greater risk of developing neurological complications of AIDS. Alterations in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity are associated with cytoskeletal disorganization and disruption of tight junction (TJ) integrity. We found that opiates in combination with HIV-1 viral proteins can modulate TJ expression in primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC), thereby compromising BBB integrity and exacerbating HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Morphine and/or tat, via the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, intracellular Ca(2+) release, and activation of myosin light chain kinase, modulated TJ expression resulting in decreased transendothelial electric resistance and enhanced transendothelial migration across the BBB. These studies may lead to the development of novel anti-HIV-1 therapeutics that target specific TJ proteins, thus preventing TJ disruption in opiate using HIV-1 patients.
  • Drug addiction and HIV and immune cells: In the US, the increase drug use us has been associated with increased HIV-1 infection. The role of drugs on HIV-1 infectivity and the expression of the proteome of immature and mature dendritic cells (IDC), astrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells had not yet been elucidated. We utilized LTR amplification, p24 antigen assay and the proteomic method of difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) combined with protein identification through high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the effects of drug abuse on HIV-1 infectivity and the proteomic profile of dendritic cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and astrocytes. Our results demonstrate that drug abuse potentiates HIV-1 replication. Furthermore, drug abuse significantly differentially regulates the expression of several proteins which may be used to develop novel markers for diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic targeting in drug -using subjects.
  • Exosomes and HIV: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication regulating a diverse range of biological processes. The pathophysiological roles for EVs in diseases such as HIV and addiction are just beginning to be recognized. Understanding the cellular ‘reservoirs’ of HIV and how they communicate with other cells through EVs will allow us to development new strategies to minimize or deplete these reservoirs.
  • Nanomedicine and cancer: Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in men, which accounts for approximately 32,000 deaths each year. Even after surgical removal of local tumor, more aggressive disease might necessitate chemo- and radi-therapy for metastatic tumors in addition to anti-androgen therapy. Optimal therapy of metatstatic prostate cancer remains an elusive goal. We developed well-defined tertiary amine-functionalized cationic polylactides (CPLAs) for the delivery of interleukin-8 (IL-8) siRNA via CPLA-IL-8 siRNA nanoplexes, known to play a role in metastasis. The CPLAs possess remarkable hydrolytic degradability, and their cytotoxicity is relatively low. We found that the CPLA-IL-8 siRNA nanoplexes was be readily taken up by prostate cancer cells, resulting in significant IL-8 gene silencing. Development of nanomedicine for targeted gene-delivery has broad implication of cancer therapies.
  • Nanomedicine for Infectious Diseases: Infectious diseases are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, with developing countries bearing the brunt of these diseases. At this time I am developing a new therapy in which the effects of these drugs are combined with augmenting the actions of the innate immune system, to act synergistically to eradicate pathogens which could potentially reduce the drug dosage required, shorten the treatment duration, mitigate dose‐dependent toxicity, and reduce the emergence of drug resistance. This delivery vehicle is a nanoparticle with a macrophage‐specific, immune‐stimulatory ligand on the surface. This nanoparticle will deliver TB and/or HIV drugs specifically to macrophage while concomitantly inducing the production of cytokines and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species within the macrophage, with the goal of intracellular pathogen clearance. We found that we could target and activate macrophage using beta glucan on the surface of a nanoparticle. Furthermore we found that would could increase intracellular uptake within macrophage of TB and HIV drugs. This approach will broaden our scientific knowledge of HIV and/or TB disease therapies and, by combining targeted drug delivery with immune augmentation, create new approaches that will facilitate reducing individual drug doses, reduce systemic drug toxicity and reduce the development of drug resistance.
  • The role of the cytokine TNF in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs:: The etiology of depression as well as the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs has been investigated for over 40 years, yet precise mechanisms that direct the expression of mood are still unknown. The classic Monoamine Theory of Depression proposed that symptoms of depression are due to an imbalance in the bioavailability of the monoamines, NE and serotonin, within the central nervous system. Therefore, antidepressant drug-induced regulation of NE availability, as well as adrenergic receptors that regulate the release of NE, have been extensively investigated. The time difference between inhibition of reuptake and therapeutic efficacy, however, argues against this being the primary mechanism. We found that α2-adrenergic receptors control NE release and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) production from neurons. TNF regulates NE release, depending on α2-adrenergic receptor functioning. The relationship between TNF production in the brain and α2-adrenergic receptor activation has profound control over NE release. These study have broad implications for the regulations of cytokines in treating depression and as therapeutic targets for anti-depressant medications.

Research Centers:
  • Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences
  • Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
  • Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • August 2018–July 2023
    Pharmacokinetics and Immunodynamics of Immune stimulating chemotherapeutic nanoparticles for TB
    NIAID
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,197,275
  • September 2019–March 2023
    KL2 Mentored Career Development Program (KL2 Program)- Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • January 2021–March 2022
    A pilot placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial of Melatonin
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • October 2020–March 2022
    Discovery of Drugs Targeting Melatonin Receptors to Abrogate Methamphetamine Use
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • January 2014–January 2016
    UR Center for AIDS Research – Pharmacokinetics and Immunodynamics of Multi-model Nanoparticles for TB
    NIAID
    Role: Contributor
  • July 2014–July 2015
    Pharmacokinetics and immunodynamics of multimodal nanoparticles for HIV and TB
    NIAID
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • April 2006–April 2008
    F32 DA021535 Mechanisms of Cocaine-Induced HIV-1 infection in NHA
    NIDA
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • March 2023
    Sustained release of luzindole
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • December 2021
    Immunomodulatory Therapy After Resuscitation from Cardiac Arrest
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • December 2021
    Initiative for Maximizing Student Development at University at Buffalo
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • September 2019
    Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center
    Role: Co-Investigator
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Journal Articles:

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Books and Book Chapters:

  • Mahajan SD, You Y, Aalinkeel R, Reynolds JL, Nair, Bindukumar B, Mammen MJ, Ignatowski TA, Cheng, Chong, Schwartz SA. (2016) Biodegradable Nanoparticle-Based Antiretroviral Therapy across the Blood-Brain Barrier.
  • Mahajan SD, Aalinkeel R, Reynolds JL, Nair BB, Mammen MJ, Dai L, Prasad PN, Schwartz SA. (2015) Nanotechnology in Diagnosis, Treatment and Prophylaxis of Infectious Diseases. Elsevier.

Abstracts:

  • Parikh NU, Aalinkeel R, Reynolds JL, Quaye E, Cwiklinski K, Sykes DE, Mammen MJ, Sharijkova, A, Khmaladze A, Schwartz SA, Mahajan SD. (2017) Methamphetamine (METH) and HIV-tat mediated oxidative stress contributes to Mitochondrial dysfunction in microglia. JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY, (Apr)
  • Aalinkeel R, Abou-Jaoude E, Parikh, N, Reynolds JL, Sykes DE, Mammen MJ, Mahajan SD, Schwartz SA. (2016) Galectin-3 in prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis. European Journal of Immunology, (Aug)
  • Parikh NU, Mahajan SD, Aalinkeel R, Reynolds JL, Nair BN, Sykes DE, Mammen MJ, Schwartz SA. (2015) Galectin-1 is Neuroprotectice and Reverses Methamphetamine Induced Blood Brain Barrier Breakdown. JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM, (May)

Professional Memberships:
  • Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2015–present)
  • Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology (2015–present)
  • American Society for Nanomedicine; Member (2014–2020)
  • British Society for Nanomedicine; Member (2014–present)
  • American Medical Writers Association; Member (2013–2014)
  • Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI), Clinical Research; Member (2013–2014)
  • International Society for Neurovirology; Member (2009–2018)
  • Society for Neuroscience; Member (2001–2005)

Presentations:
  • "Exosomes in HIV cerebrovascular pathogenesis" Invited seminar speaker: Department of Pharmacology at Tulane University School of Medicine (2022)
  • "Nanomedicine for Macrophage based diseases" Invited speaker, Department of Microbiology, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • "COVID-19: Paradigm Shifting Into 2021 With the Benefit of 2020 Hindsight" North York Branson Medical Society (2020)
  • "Inclusive and diverse stem pipelines to train and develop the next generation of translational bioscientists and health professionals" SUNY Diversity Conference (2019)
  • "Nanomedicine for treating infectious disease that are prominent in third world countries" Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2018)
  • "A Nanomedicine Approach for HIV Co-infection" Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2017)
  • "Nanomedicine" Centre for Bio Devices and Signal Analysis (VALENS), Nanyang Technological University (2017)
  • "Updates in Nanomedicine" Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2017)
  • "Exosomes for drug delivery" Interdisciplinary Conversations in Blood Brain Barrier Re-modeling (2016)
  • "Macrophage targeted nanotherapy for the treatment of TB" Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2016)
  • "Beta-glucan Coated Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Enhances Intracellular Nevirapine Concentration in Macrophage" Departmemt of Medicine Research Day; University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Rifampin Loaded Biodegradable Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy" 19th Annual National CFAR Meeting; 19th Annual National CFAR Meeting (2015)
  • "Dual Loaded Controlled Release Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Anti-HIV Therapy." University at Buffalo 7th Annual Postdoc Research Symposium; University at Buffalo 7th Annual Postdoc Research Symposium (2015)
  • "Dual Loaded Controlled Release Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Anti-HIV Therapy" University at Buffalo Department of Anesthesiology’s Dr. R. Terry Research Day; University at Buffalo Department of Anesthesiology’s Dr. R. Terry Research Day (2015)
  • "Dual Loaded Controlled Release Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Anti-HIV Therapy" Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2015)
  • "Multi-modal Nanoparticles for HIV-Therapy" Society for Personalized Nanomedicine Annual Meeting; Society for Personalized Nanomedicine (2015)
  • "Introductory NIH Grants and Budgets." Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI), Clinical Research Conference; Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI); NIH grants (2014)
  • "Pharmacokinetic and immunodynamics of multi-modal nanoparticles for HIV and/or TB" American Society for Nanomedicine Annual Meeting; American Society for Nanomedicine; Nanomedicine (2014)
  • "Gene Targeted Nanotherapy for Drug Addiction" Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience (2014)
  • "Gene Targeted Nanotherapy for Drug Addiction" American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Annual Meeting; American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Annual Meeting (2014)
  • "Nanotherapeutic Approach for Targeting the HIV Reservoir in the Brain" Fourth Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine; Fourth Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine (2014)
  • "Nanotherapies: Current and Future Challenges" Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine,; Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine, (2014)
  • "Pharmacokinetic and immunodynamics of multi-modal nanoparticles for HIV and/or TB" Fourth Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine; Annual Conference of American Society for Nanomedicine (2014)
  • "Innovative nanotherapy for the treatment of the chronic skin condition “Rosacea”" IMMUNOLOGY 2013™ AAI Annual Meeting; IMMUNOLOGY 2013™ AAI Annual Meeting (2013)
  • "Multimodal glucan functionalized chitosan-PLGA nanospheres for intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis eradication: combination of cellular drug delivery and immunomodulation" International AIDS Society; International AIDS Society (2013)
  • "Multimodal Nanoparticles For Targeted Drug Delivery And Immunotherapy In Tuberculosis" European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum; European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum (2013)
  • "Nanoparticles for Gene Silencing; Potential Therapeutic Applications" 5th Congress of the Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia Oceania; 5th Congress of the Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia Oceania (2012)
  • "Development of a biodegradable nanoparticle for co-delivery of mu opioid receptor siRNA and Saquinavir: therapeutic potential for HIV-1 positive drug users" 11th International Symposium on NeuroVirology,; 11th International Symposium on NeuroVirology, (2012)
  • "Targeted Nanoparticles for Gene Silencing" American College of Neuropsychopharmacology; American College of Neuropsychopharmacology; Nanomedicine (2010)
  • "Targeted Nanoparticles for Gene Silencing, implications for HIV reservoir treatment" 10th International Symposium on NeuroVirology; ISNV; Nanotherapeutics (2010)
  • "Dopaminergic signaling: a common neuropathogenic mechanism in the etiology of opiate addiction and Neuro-AIDS. Poster presentation" XVIII International AIDS Society Conference; XVIII International AIDS Society Conference (2010)
  • "Host chemokine gene polymorphisms: Role in HIV-1 disease progression" 14th International Congress of Immunology,; 14th International Congress of Immunology, (2010)
  • "Modulation of Tight junction expression by an MMP-9 nanoplex: Implications for maintaining Blood Brain Barrier integrity in HIV-1 encephalitis" International Symposium on HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases; International Symposium on HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases (2010)
  • "Targeted Nanoparticles for Gene Silencing" merican College of Neuropsychopharmacology; merican College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2010)
  • "Targeted Nanoparticles for Gene Silencing, implications for HIV reservoir treatment" 10th International Symposium on NeuroVirology; 10th International Symposium on NeuroVirology (2010)
  • "DARPP-32 signaling: A common neuropathogenic pathway in HIV-1 infected drug abusers" International Society for NeuroVirology; International Society for NeuroVirology (2009)
  • "Drugs of Abuse and HIV-1 replication in Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA)" 9th International Symposium on NeuroVirology; 9th International Symposium on NeuroVirology (2009)
  • "Enhancing the Transversing Efficiency and Efficacy of the Anti-Retroviral Drug “Saquinavir” Using Nanotechnology: Implications for Nanotherapeutics in Neuro-AIDS" 4th International Workshop on HIV-1 Persistence; 4th International Workshop on HIV-1 Persistence (2009)
  • "Role of genetic polymorphisms in the SDF-1 (Stromal cell-derived factor-1) allele in Long Term Non-Progressors (LTNP) of HIV-1 disease" th International AIDS Society; Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention; th International AIDS Society; Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (2009)
  • "Role of the Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF)-1 allelic variant SDF-1 3’An in HIV-1 disease progression" 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2009)
  • "Evaluation of the anti HIV-1 efficacy of a quantum rod/ modified silica nanoparticles (ORMOSIL) conjugated antiretroviral nanoplexes as targeted probes for transmigration across an in vitro blood brain barrier" Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies; Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (2008)
  • "Identification of potential biomarkers in the development of HIV-1 associated dyslipidemic lipodystrophy using an integrated bioinformatics approach" 3rd Al-Ain International Immunology Meeting; 3rd Al-Ain International Immunology Meeting (2008)
  • "Modulation of Galectin-1 by drugs of abuse. Poster presentation" 8th International Symposium on NeuroVirology; 8th International Symposium on NeuroVirology (2007)
  • "Bioflavonoids reduce HIV-1 infectivity in an in-vitro maternal–fetal placental barrier model." 2nd International workshop on HIV-1 transmission- Principles of Intervention; 2nd International workshop on HIV-1 transmission- Principles of Intervention (2007)
  • "Development of a new treatment modality using Nanoparticle conjugated DARPP-32 siRNA in an animal model of opiate addiction: Implications for therapy in opiate abusing HIV-1 infected subjects" 2nd European Federation of Neuropsychiatry Congress; 2nd European Federation of Neuropsychiatry Congress (2007)
  • "Evaluation of HAART efficacy in the Central Nervous System (CNS) using a nanoprobe. Poster presentation" 13th International Congress of Immunology; 13th International Congress of Immunology (2007)
  • "Opiate regulation of DARPP-32 in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalopathy" International AIDS Society; International AIDS Society (2007)
  • "Opiates exacerbate HIV-1 neurotoxicity via DARPP-32 regulation of NMDA receptors." Opiates exacerbate HIV-1 neurotoxicity via DARPP-32 regulation of NMDA receptors.; Opiates exacerbate HIV-1 neurotoxicity via DARPP-32 regulation of NMDA receptors. (2007)
  • "Effect of Methamphetamine on Matrix Metalloproteinase gene expression in Brain microvascular endothelial cells: Relevance to NeuroAIDS" Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies; Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (2006)
  • "Methamphetamine Differentially Modulates Rantes And Its Variant Allele (IN1.1C) Gene Expression In HIV-1" College on Problems of Drug Dependence; College on Problems of Drug Dependence (2006)
  • "Methamphetamine Modulates HIV-1 Infectivity In Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells" Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology; Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology (2006)
  • "Methamphetamine-Induced Differential Protein Expression by Mature Dendritic Cells (MDC)" College on Problems of Drug Dependence; College on Problems of Drug Dependence (2006)
  • "Methamphetamine-Induced Differential Protein Expression by Mature Dendritic Cells (MDC)" College on Problems of Drug Dependence; College on Problems of Drug Dependence (2006)
  • "Proteomic analyses of heroin-induced differential protein expression by normal human astrocytes (NHA)" Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology; Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology (2006)
  • "Cocaine differentially regulates the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) in normal human astrocytes" College on Problems of Drug Dependence; College on Problems of Drug Dependence (2005)
  • "Cocaine phosphorylates extracellular signal related kinase (ERK) in U373MG cells" Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology; Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology (2005)
  • "Differential Regulation of DC-SIGN and IDO by Cannabinoid and Cocaine in Normal Human Astrocytes: A Molecular Profile" College on Problems of Drug Dependence; College on Problems of Drug Dependence (2005)
  • "Drugs of Abuse and Neuropathogensis of HIV Infection: Role of DC-SIGN and IDO" Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology; Society for NeuroImmune Pharmacology (2005)
  • "Brain-derived TNF affects α2-adrenergic regulation of TNF production from peripheral macrophage" Society for Neuroscience; Society for Neuroscience (2004)
  • "Antidepressant drugs decrease brain tumor necrosis factor thereby alleviating hyperalgesia during neuropathic pain" Society for Neuroscience; Society for Neuroscience (2003)
  • "Effect of amitriptyline on neuropathic pain and pain induced transformation of α2-adrenergic receptor regulation of TNF production from peripheral macrophage" Society for Neuroscience; Society for Neuroscience (2003)
  • "An increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in the brain directs neuropathic pain and a decrease in TNF production is involved in the analgesic properties of antidepressant drugs" American Association of Neuropathologists; American Association of Neuropathologists (2003)
  • "Adrenergic augmentation of TNF production from neurons during the dissipation of pain resembles that which occurs following antidepressant drug administration" American Association of Neuropathologists (2002)
  • "Interaction between TNF production and α2- adrenergic receptor sensitivity: A new twist on the monoamine theory of depression" Society for Neuroscience; Society for Neuroscience (2002)
  • "TNF regulation of adrenergic sensitivity" Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2002)
  • "Interactive relationship between TNF production and α2- adrenergic receptor sensitivity" Society for Neuroscience (2001)
  • "Adrenergic regulation of neuron-derived tumor necrosis factor-alpha" Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting; Society for Neuroscience (2000)
  • "Analysis of the highly conserved region present in all PQQ-Dependent (Quinoprotein) Dehydrogenases." American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting; American Society for Microbiology (1998)
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Service Activities:
  • Abstract Reviewer, Association for Clinical and Translational Science; Abstract Reviewer (2024–present)
  • Poster Judge, Annual Biomedical Research Conference For Minoritized Scientists; Poster Judge, Annual Biomedical Research Conference For Minoritized Scientists (2024–2025)
  • Communications Biology; Journal Reviewer (2024–present)
  • ; Chair, Medicine Awards Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Chair, Medicine-Faculty Development and Mentoring Working Group (2024–present)
  • ; Co-Chair, Medicine-Research Working Group (2024–present)
  • ; Driver, American Cancer Society (2024–present)
  • ; Facilitator, GME Jacobs Research Day (2024–present)
  • NIH: Population-based Research in Infectious Disease (PRID); Grant Review (2024–present)
  • Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy; Journal Reviewer (2024–present)
  • BMJ Open Quality; Journal Reviewer (2024–present)
  • Molecular Pharmaceutics; Journal Reviewer (2024–present)
  • ; Member, Senior Staff Assistant Search Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Member, Chair, Department of Biochemistry (2024–present)
  • ; Member, Joseph Robert Love Scholastic Leadership Award Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Member, Senior Associate Dean, Inclusion and Faculty Affairs Search Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Member, Staff Assistant Search Committee (2024–present)
  • ; Speaker, STEM presentation, Corning High School (2024–present)
  • University Representative, Annual Biomedical Research Conference For Minoritized Scientists. Role: Recruit potential students to apply to graduate school at UB.; University Representative, Annual Biomedical Research Conference For Minoritized Scientists. Role: Recruit potential students to apply to graduate school at UB. (2024–present)
  • ; University Representative, Annual Biomedical Research Conference For Minoritized Scientists. Role: Recruit potential students to apply to graduate school at UB. (2024–present)
  • University Representative, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Role: Recruit potential students to apply to graduate school at UB.; University Representative, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Role: Recruit potential students to apply to graduate school at UB. (2024–present)
  • ; Volunteer, BNMC Open house for high school students (2024–present)
  • ; NIAID/NIH: Analyzing Early Events in TB and TB/HIV Infection for Interventional Targets (2024–present)
  • External Advisory Board (EAB) - CTSA University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)- Galveston; Member (2022–present)
  • CTSI KL2 Leadership Team and Associate Mentor; CTSI KL2 Leadership Team and Associate Mentor (2021–2022)
  • Search Committee for ISeed Director; Member (2021–present)
  • Search Committee for Post-Doctoral Associate for Dr. Remi Adelaiye Ogala; Member (2021)
  • Department Administrator Search Committee; Member (2021–2022)
  • Department Administrator Search Committee; Member (2021)
  • Search Committee for Post-Doctoral Associate for Dr. Pili; Member (2021)
  • Search Committee for IMSD Director; Member (2021)
  • Scientific Workforce Specialist Search Committee; Member (2021)
  • Committee on Faculty Web Profile; Member (2020–2021)
  • Search Committee for Inclusive Excellence Workforce Specialist; Member (2020)
  • Search Committee for CTSI Education Workforce Specialist; Member (2020)
  • CTSI Steering Committee; Member (2020–present)
  • Search Committee for General Internal Medicine Division Chief; Member (2020–present)
  • Ad Hoc Committee on Promotion to Research Ranks; Member (2019–2022)
  • NIH; NIH Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (Omnibus R03);; Grant Reviewer (2019)
  • NIH-HIV Molecular Virology, Cell Biology and Drug Development; NIH Standing Study Section Member;; Grant Reviewer (2019–2023)
  • Jacobs School of Medicine Celebration of Scholars; Judge/Facilitator (2019–present)
  • Mentor-Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences (CLIMB); Member (2019–present)
  • NIH; NIH-NCI Provocative Questions (PQ) Funding Initiative;; External Reviewer (2019)
  • Research Curriculum Revision for Internal Medicine Residents; Member (2019–2022)
  • Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences (CLIMB); Mentor (2019–present)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2018)
  • South African National Research Foundation;; Grant Reviewer (2018)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2018)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Chair (2018)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2018)
  • Scientific review of Medicine HSIRB submissions; Chair of HSIRB scientific review (2018–2022)
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Search Committee; Member (2018–2020)
  • Medicine Strategic Plan Committee; Member (2018–2020)
  • Excellence Workforce Specialist Staff Assistant Search Committee- Office of Inclusion; Member (2018–2019)
  • NIH; NIH-Anonymization Study;; Grant Reviewer (2018–2019)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Chair (2018)
  • CTSI Workforce Development Coure; Associate Director (2018–present)
  • CTSI Community of Scholars Leadership Team; Leadership (2018–present)
  • Excellence Workforce Specialist Staff Assistant Search Committee- Office of Inclusion; Member (2018–present)
  • Wellness Committee; Member (2018–present)
  • Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Pilot Studies; Reviewer (2018–present)
  • Faculty Development; Vice Chair (2018–present)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2017)
  • NIH; NIH-Nanotechnology (NANO);; Grant Reviewer (2017)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Chair (2017)
  • UB Panel on NIH Rigor and Reproducibility; Co-Chair and Speaker (2017)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2017)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Chair (2017)
  • Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic Uni;; Grant Reviewer (2017)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2017)
  • Jacobs School of Medicine Research Strategic Plan; Member (2017–2018)
  • Center for Successful Aging; Member (2017–present)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2016)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2016)
  • NIH; NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research;; Grant Reviewer (2016)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2016)
  • CTSI Workforce Development Core; Member (2016–2017)
  • UB-Impact Grant Reviewer; Reviewer (2016)
  • UB CTSI External Seminar; Chair (2016–present)
  • UB CTSI Grant Writing Committee; Leadership (2016–present)
  • UB CTSI Grant Writing Committee; Leadership (2016–present)
  • NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: The Role of Exosomes in HIV Neuropathogenesis;; Grant Reviewer (2015)
  • NIH; NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2015)
  • Guest Editor, Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology; Editor (2015–2016)
  • Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic Uni;; Grant Reviewer (2015)
  • Editor, Journal of Personalized Nanomedicine; Editor (2015–2016)
  • NIH; NIH-AIDS Discovery and Development of Therapeutics (ADDT); Ad Hoc Member;; Grant Reviewer (2015)
  • NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2015)
  • Department of Medicine Research Day Committee; Member (2015–2016)
  • Department of Medicine Research Committee; Member (2015–2016)
  • Search committee for Office of Research Advancement; Member (2015–2016)
  • NIH-Special Emphasis Panel: AIDS and AIDS Related Research; Ad Hoc Member;; Grant Reviewer (2014)
  • NIH-Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST);; Grant Reviewer (2014–2018)
  • Grant Writing; Chair (2014–2019)
  • Scientific review and editing of proposals; Proposal Development Officer (2014–2019)
  • Research Day; Abstract and Poster Judge (2014–2018)
  • Department of Medicine Research Committee; Member (2014–2018)
  • Department of Medicine Grant Writing Committee; Chair (2014–2017)
  • Research Committee; Member (2014–present)
  • CTRC Research Trainees’ Seminar; Chair (2013–2015)
  • Search committee for Sponsored Programs Administrator; Member (2013–2014)
  • Faculty Council; Member (2012–2018)
  • Faculty Council Representative; Member (2012–2018)
  • Manuscipt Reviewer; Reviewer (2003–present)

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Contact Information

6075 CTRC
875 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-888-4777
jlr8@buffalo.edu
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