Brian R. Weil PhD
Brian R. Weil
PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Apoptosis and cell death; Cardiac pharmacology; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Inflammation; Pathophysiology; Stem Cells; Translational imaging; Translational Research
Professional Summary:
My research program is focused on investigating mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction and structural remodeling in heart disease, as well as identifying novel therapeutic interventions to prevent or reverse left ventricular dysfunction caused by acute and chronic myocardial injury. These studies generally utilize non-invasive cardiovascular imaging techniques and invasive hemodynamic assessment to assess cardiac performance in vivo in preclinical experimental models, along with ex vivo analysis of myocardial tissue to examine cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying observed changes in physiological function. Using this approach, we aim to conduct impactful translational research with direct relevance to the pathophysiology and treatment of human heart disease.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado - Boulder (2011)
- MS, Exercise Science, Syracuse University (2007)
- BS, Clinical Exercise Science, Ithaca College (2005)
Employment:
- Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
- Research Assistant Professor, Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2016–2019)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2011–2016)
Awards and Honors:
- Louis A. and Ruth Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching, Honorable Mention; Teaching in the Preclinical Program (2021)
- Harold Brody/Medical Emeritus Faculty Society Award for Translational Research (2015)
- Cardiovascular Section; Clinical Science Young Investigator Award (2012)
Research Centers:
- Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 2022–December 2025
Immunomodulatory Therapy After Resuscitation From Cardiac Arrest
National Institutes of Health (NHLBI)
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,822,516 - October 2020–September 2024
Preventing and Reversing Interstitial Fibrosis in HFpEF
Veteran's Affairs Merit Review Award
Role: Co-Investigator
$709,984 - January 2022–December 2022
Investigation of Myocardial Sympathetic Denervation as a Novel Mechanism of Ischemia-Induced Pulseless Electrical Activity Cardiac Arrest
The ZOLL Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$47,740 - September 2020–August 2022
Pathophysiology of Left Ventricular Stiffening in Heart Failure
National Institutes of Health (NHLBI)
Role: Principal Investigator
$397,476 - January 2021–December 2021
Targeting Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction to Treat Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
UB CTSI Translational Pilot Studies Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$41,164 - January 2020–August 2021
T3np Neuroprotection Following Cardiac Arrest
UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology
Role: Principal Investigator
$20,890 - July 2017–June 2020
Pathophysiology of Myocardial Remodeling in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
American Heart Association
Role: Principal Investigator
$231,000 - December 2018–November 2019
Preclinical Evaluation of Systemic Cellular Postconditioning as a Novel Cardioprotective and Neuroprotective Therapy Following Cardiac Arrest
The ZOLL Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$30,775 - July 2018–June 2019
T3np in Cardiac Resuscitation – Pivotal Pre-Clinical Trial
UB Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology
Role: Principal Investigator
$182,528 - June 2018–May 2019
Quantitative Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics of Stretch-induced Myocardial Stunning and Adaptive Left Ventricular Stiffening in Swine
Proteomics and Bioanalysis Core Seed Fund
Role: Principal Investigator
$15,000 - April 2018–March 2019
Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Antibody-Based Therapy to Improve Cardiac Repair After Acute Myocardial Infarction
UB CTSI Translational Pilot Studies Program
Role: Principal Investigator
$48,746 - November 2018
Novel Biomarkers of Extracellular Matrix Expansion and Interstitial Fibrosis in Heart Failure
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Role: Principal Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Weil BR, Allen SE, Barbaccia T, Wong K, Beaver AM, Slabinski EA, Mellott JG, Dickinson PCT, Mousa SA. (2023) Preclinical evaluation of triiodothyronine nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic intervention for resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Resuscitation (Mar) doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109735
- Momeni A, Eagler L, Lo CY, Weil BR, Canty JM, Lang JK, Neelamegham S. (2021) Neutrophils aid cellular therapeutics by enhancing glycoengineered stem cell recruitment and retention at sites of inflammation. Biomaterials (Sep), 276: 121048.
- Wang X, Shen X, Weil BR, Young RF, Canty JM, Qu J. (2020) Quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling of ischemic myocardial stunning in swine. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology (May), 318(5): H1256-H1271. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00713.2019
- Weil BR, Suzuki G, Canty JM. (2020) Transmural variation in microvascular remodeling following percutaneous revascularization of a chronic coronary stenosis in swine. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology (Mar), 318(3): H696-H705. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00502.2019
- Weil BR, Techiryan G, Suzuki G, Konecny F, Canty JM. (2019) Adaptive Reductions in Left Ventricular Diastolic Compliance Protect the Heart From Stretch-Induced Stunning. JACC. Basic to translational science (Aug), 4(4): 527-541. doi:10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.04.002
- Suzuki G, Weil BR, Young RF, Fallavollita JA, Canty JM. (2019) Nonocclusive multivessel intracoronary infusion of allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells early after reperfusion prevents remote zone myocyte loss and improves global left ventricular function in swine with myocardial infarction. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology (Aug), 317(2): H345-H356. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00124.2019
- Weil BR, Neelamegham S. (2019) Selectins and Immune Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Post-infarction Ventricular Remodeling: Pathophysiology and Novel Treatments. Front Immunol (Feb), 10: 300-300.
- Wang J, Seo MJ, Deci MB, Weil BR, Canty JM, Nguyen J. (2018) Effect of CCR2 inhibitor-loaded lipid micelles on inflammatory cell migration and cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Int J Nanomedicine (Oct), 13: 6441-6451.
- Techiryan G, Weil BR, Palka BA, Canty JM. (2018) Effect of Intracoronary Metformin on Myocardial Infarct Size in Swine. Circ Res (Sep), 123(8): 986-995.
- Weil BR, Suzuki G, Young RF, Iyer V, Canty JM. (2018) Troponin Release and Reversible Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Transient Pressure Overload. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Jun), 71(25): 2906-2916. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.04.029
- Bain AR, Weil BR, Diehl KJ, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2017) Insufficient sleep is associated with impaired nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Atherosclerosis (Oct), 265: 41-46.
- Sharma UC, W Mosleh, MR Chaudhari, R Katkar, B Weil, C Evelo, TR Cimato, S Pokharel, WM Blenkesteijn, G Suzuki. (2017) Myocardial and serum galectin-3 expression dynamics marks post-myocardial infarction cardiac remodeling. Heart Lung Circulation (Jul), 26(7): 736-745.
- Weil BR, Young, Rebeccah, Shen, Xiaomeng, Suzuki G, Qu J, Malhotra S, Canty J. (2017) Brief Myocardial Ischemia Produces Cardiac Troponin I Release and Focal Myocyte Apoptosis in the Absence of Pathological Infarction in Swine. J Am Coll Cardiol Basic Trans Science (Apr), 2(2): 114-105.
- Weil BR, RF Young, X Shen, G Suzuki, JK Qu, S Malhotra and JM Canty, Jr. (2017) Brief myocardial ischemia produces cardiac troponin I release and focal myocyte apoptosis in the absence of pathological infarction in swine. J Am Coll Cardiol Basic Trans Sci (Jan), 2(2): 105-114.
- Canty, Jr. JM and BR Weil. (2017) Cortical Bone Stem Cells Administered at Reperfusion Attenuate Adverse Post-Infarction Left Ventricular Remodeling and Prevent Myocyte Loss at a Distance. Circulation Research (Jan), 121: 1210-1213.
- Weil BR, Konecny F, Suzuki G, Iyer V, Canty JM. (2016) Comparative Hemodynamic Effects of Contemporary Percutaneous Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices in a Porcine Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction. JACC Cardiovasc Interv (Nov), 9(22): 2292-2303.
- Canty J, Weil BR, Suzuki G. (2016) Widespread Intracoronary Cardiopoietic Cell Infusion: Treating at the Time of Myocardial Reperfusion to Prevent Rather Than Reverse Established Left Ventricular Dysfunction Moves Us Closer to Practical Clinical Translation. Circ Res (Apr), 118(7): 1045-1048.
- Lo CY, Weil BR, Palka BA, Momeni A, Canty JM Jr. and Neelamegham S. (2016) Cell Surface Glycoengineering Improves Selectin-mediated Adhesion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Cardiosphere-derived Cells (CDCs); Pilot Validation in Porcine Ischemia-Reperfusion Model. Biomaterials (Jan), 74: 19-30.
- Suzuki G, Weil BR, Young, Rebeccah, Palka, Beth, Suzuki, T. (2016) Heart-Derived Stem Cells in Miniature Swine with Coronary Microembolization: Novel Asymptomatic Heart Failure Model to Assess the Efficacy of Cell-Based Therapy. Stem Cells International 2016 (Jan).
- Weil BR, Suzuki G, Leiker MM, Fallavollita JA, Canty, Jr., JM. (2015) Comparative Efficacy of Intracoronary Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cardiosphere-Derived Cells in Swine with Hibernating Myocardium. Circ Res (Sep), 117(7): 634-644.
- Diehl KJ, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Wright KP, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2015) Impaired endogenous fibrinolytic capacity in prehypertensive men. J Hum Hypertens (Aug), 29(8): 468-472.
- Weil BR, Ozcan C. (2015) Cardiomyocyte Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation and Hibernating Myocardium: Shared Pathophysiologic Traits Identify Novel Treatment Strategies?. Biomed Res Int (Jun), 2015: 587361-587361.
- Page BJ, Banas MD, Suzuki G, Weil BR, Young RF, Fallavollita JA, Palka BA and Canty JM Jr. (2015) Revascularization of chronic hibernating myocardium stimulates myocyte proliferation and partially reverses chronic adaptations to ischemia. J Am College Card (Jan), 65(7): 684-697.
- Suzuki G, Weil BR, Leiker MM, Ribbeck AE, Young RF, Cimato TR, Canty JM. (2014) Global intracoronary infusion of allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells improves ventricular function and stimulates endogenous myocyte regeneration throughout the heart in swine with hibernating myocardium. PLoS One (Nov), 9(11): 113009-113009.
- Weil BR and Canty, Jr. JM. (2014) Ceramide signaling in the coronary microcirculation: A double-edged sword?. Circulation Research (Jan), 115: 475-477.
- Weil BR, Canty JM. (2013) Stem cell stimulation of endogenous myocyte regeneration. Clin Sci (Lond) (Aug), 125(3): 109-119.
- Diehl KJ, Templeton DL, Ma J, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2013) Impaired fasting blood glucose is associated with increased endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone. Atherosclerosis (Jul), 229(1): 130-133.
- Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, Desouza CA. (2013) Self-reported habitual short sleep duration is associated with endothelial fibrinolytic dysfunction in men: a preliminary report. Sleep (Feb), 36(2): 183-188.
- Weil BR, Canty JM Jr. (2013) Stem cell stimulation of endogenous myocyte regeneration. Clinical Science (London) (Jan), 125: 109-119.
- Diehl KJ, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, Desouza CA. (2012) White blood cell count and endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone in middle-aged and older adults. Artery Res (Jun), 6(2): 65-70.
- Diehl KJ, Weil BR, Westby CM, MacEneaney OJ, Kushner EJ, Greiner JJ, DeSouza CA. (2012) Effects of endothelin-1 on endothelial progenitor cell function. Clin Chem Lab Med (Jun), 50(6): 1121-1124.
- Weil BR, Westby CM, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2012) Elevated endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone in prehypertensive adults. Can J Cardiol (May), 28(3): 347-353.
- Diehl KJ, Stauffer BL, Greiner JJ, Weil BR, DeSouza CA. (2012) Nitric oxide-mediated endothlium-dependent vasodilation is impaired with borderline high-LDL cholesterol. Clin Transl Sci (Feb), 5(1): 21-26.
- Cameron SJ, Goulopoulou S, Weil BR, Kanaley JA. (2012) Regulation of blood flow by aspirin following muscle ischemia. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci (Feb), 16(2): 143-150.
- Weil BR, Greiner JJ, DeSouza CA, Stauffer BL. (2011) Relation of C-reactive protein to endothelial fibrinolytic function in healthy adults. Am J Cardiol (Dec), 108(11): 1675-1679.
- Weil BR, Kushner EJ, Diehl KJ, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, Desouza CA. (2011) CD31+ T cells, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk. Heart Lung Circ (Oct), 20(10): 659-662.
- Weil BR, Westby CM, Van Guilder GP, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2011) Enhanced endothelin-1 system activity with overweight and obesity. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (Sep), 301(3): 689-695.
- Weil BR, Stauffer BL, Mestek ML, DeSouza CA. (2011) Influence of abdominal obesity on vascular endothelial function in overweight/obese adult men. Obesity (Silver Spring) (Sep), 19(9): 1742-1746.
- Weil BR, Stauffer BL, Greiner JJ, DeSouza CA. (2011) Prehypertension is associated with impaired nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in sedentary adults. Am J Hypertens (Sep), 24(9): 976-981.
- Westby CM, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2011) Endothelin-1 vasoconstriction and the age-related decline in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in men. Clin Sci (Lond) (Jun), 120(11): 485-491.
- Kushner EJ, MacEneaney OJ, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2011) Aging is associated with a proapoptotic endothelial progenitor cell phenotype. J Vasc Res (May), 48(5): 408-414.
- Weil BR, Maceneaney OJ, Stauffer BL, Desouza CA. (2011) Habitual short sleep duration and circulating endothelial progenitor cells. J Cardiovasc Dis Res (Apr), 2(2): 110-114.
- MacEneaney OJ, DeSouza CA, Weil BR, Kushner EJ, Van Guilder GP, Mestek ML, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL. (2011) Prehypertension and endothelial progenitor cell function. J Hum Hypertens (Jan), 25(1): 57-62.
- Kushner EJ, Weil BR, MacEneaney OJ, Morgan RG, Mestek ML, Van Guilder GP, Diehl KJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2010) Human aging and CD31+ T-cell number, migration, apoptotic susceptibility, and telomere length. J Appl Physiol (1985) (Dec), 109(6): 1756-1761.
- Mestek ML, Weil BR, Greiner JJ, Westby CM, DeSouza CA, Stauffer BL. (2010) Osteopenia and endothelin-1-mediated vasconstrictor tone in postmenopausal women. Bone (Sep), 47(3): 542-545.
- Weil BR, Mestek ML, Westby CM, Van Guilder GP, Greiner JJ, Stauffer BL, DeSouza CA. (2010) Short sleep duration is associated with enhanced endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone. Can J Physiol Pharmacol (Aug), 88(8): 777-781.
Abstracts:
- Allen, S, Ang, S, Smith, C, Techiryan, G, Canty J, Weil BR. (2019) Deterioration of Hemodynamic Support During Prolonged Mechanical CPR in a Porcine Model of Cardiac Arrest. AHA Resuscitation Symposium 2019, (Nov) 2049-2064
- Weil BR, Allen, S, Barbaccia, B, Young, R, Palka, B, Canty J. (2019) A Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Preclinical Trial of Novel Nanoparticle Formulations of Triiodothyronine in Cardiac Arrest. American Heart Association - Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019, (Nov)
Professional Memberships:
- American Physiological Society (2017–present)
- American Heart Association (2011–present)
Presentations:
- "Novel Causes and Consequences of Myocardial Injury" University of Missouri Department of Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series (2021)
- "Novel Causes and Consequences of Myocardial Injury" University at Buffalo Department of Physiology and Biophysics Seminar Series (2020)
- "Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Antibody-Based Therapy to Improve Cardiac Repair After Acute Myocardial Infarction" University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute Annual Research Colloquium (2020)
- "Novel Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiomyocyte Loss in Heart Disease" University at Buffalo Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Seminar Series (2018)
- "Lost in Clinical Translation: Cell-Based Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease" Ithaca College Department of Biology Seminar Series; Seminar Title (2018)
- "Therapeutic Strategies to Promote Cardiac Myocyte Survival and Regeneration in Ischemic Heart Disease" University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center Seminar Series (2017)
- "Cell-Based Therapy to Promote Myocardial Repair in Ischemic Heart Disease" University at Buffalo Department of Physiology and Biophysics Seminar Series (2016)
Service Activities:
- Veteran's Affairs Cardiovascular Studies (CAR-A) Review Panel; Peer Reviewer (2021–present)
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Integrative Cardiovascular and Hematological Sciences Study Section; Peer Reviewer (2021–present)
- Phase 1 Committee; Committee Member (2020–present)
- The Human Cardiovascular System (IMC602); Course Director (2020–present)
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Review Committee; Member (2020–present)
- American Heart Association; Peer Reviewer (2020–present)
- Search Committee Member; School of Public Health and Health Professions; Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Assistant Professor (2019–2020)
- PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) Admissions Committee; Committee Member (2019–2020)
- Curriculum Committee; Committee Member (2018–2021)
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Assistant to the Chair; Search Committee Member (2018)
- Faculty Council; Committee Member (2018–2020)
- Hermann Rahn Memorial Lectureship Committee; Committee Chair (2017–present)
- Clean Air Coalition of Western New York; Board Member and Chair (2013–2017)
- Circulation Research, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Research, American Journal of Physiology- Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Journal of Applied Physiology, Heart, Lung and Circulation, Journal of Internal Medicine, Journal of Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Expert Reviews of Cardiovascular Therapy, Annals of Biomedical Engineering; Manuscript Reviewer