Brooke R. Lawson, M.S.

Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory, 354 UCB
Department of Integrative Physiology
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA
Phone: (303) 492-2485
FAX: (303) 492-6778
E-mail: lawsonb@colorado.edu




Current Research Projects

  • Inflammatory Suppression of Endothelial Function with Aging and Habitual Exercise
  • Aortic microRNA Expression with Aging and Habitual Exercise
  • Life Long Caloric Restriction and Telomere Length

Education


M.S. in Health and Exercise Science
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado n  2004
Thesis: “Biomechanics of Vertical Jumping: Effect of Jump Style and Gender on Bilateral Symmetry”
 
B.A. in Biology
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado n  2002
Area of Concentration: Exercise Science

Research Experience


Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 2004-Present

Organize and conduct studies looking at the effects obesity, age, and oxidative stress on endothelial function.
Responsibilities:

  • Lab management
  • Design, implement, and monitor budget
  • Wet lab procedures/ studies
  • Subject recruitment
  • Scheduling
  • Screening and testing
  • Data analysis and management
  • Training of new students and personnel
  • Supervise other research assistants as well as undergraduate and masters students

Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory, Colorado StateUniversity, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2003 – 2004

Designed and implemented study to analyze kinematic and kinetic variables of college club level volleyball players.

Human Performance Laboratory, Colorado StateUniversity, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2002 – 2004

Conducted tests for the Heart Disease Prevention Program and other grants

Colorado Avalanche, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2003

Performed maximal exercise tests on members of the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team

Families on the Move, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 2002 – 2003

Helped with data collection, analysis, data entry, and subject recruitment for pilot study for

“Colorado on the Move” sponsored by a grant from University of Colorado Health Sciences and Kellogg

Olympic Training Center, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs,
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001 – 2002

Studied the National Junior Olympic Figure Skating Team for overall assessment of aerobic and anaerobic capacity

Physiological Testing Experience

  • In-Vitro Whole Vessel Vascular Reactivity
  • Venous Occlusion Plethysmography
  • Resting Metabolic Rate Measurement
  • Graded Exercise Tests
  • VO2 Max Testing
  • Maximal Exercise and Recovery Lactates
  • Wingate Testing
  • Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption
  • Body Composition: CT Scan, DEXA, Hydrostatic Weighing, Skinfold, Anthropometrics
  • Isokinetic Leg Strength
  • Flexiblity Assessment
  • Muscular Strength Assessment
  • Pulmonary Function Testing
  • Flow Mediated Dilation

Wetlab Experience

  • Real-Time RT Polymerase Chain Reaction for Gene Expression
  • Real-Time RT Polymerase Chain Reaction for miRNA Expression
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Telomere Length
  • Western Blotting
  • Search Light Multiplex Plates
  • ELISA Assays 
  • Endothelial Cell Collection and Processing
  • Immunofluorescence Staining
  • DNA Extraction
  • Mononuclear Cell Isolation
  • Ex-Vivo Whole Blood Cytokine Production
  • Western Blotting
  • RNA Isolation
  • Real-time RT Polymerase Chain Reaction

Teaching Experience

At Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado:

Teaching Assistant n  2002-2004 – to Professor Dale DeVoe in “Health and Wellness.”  Instructed the lab portion of the class, lectured on lab methods, proctored exams, graded lab reports, and met with students upon request.

Instructor n  2002-2004 –  In charge of instruction and developing curriculum in activity classes such as volleyball, weight training, racquetball, tennis, and aerobics. Developed tests, quizzes, performance assessments, and was responsible for grading and reporting.


Publications and Papers

Manuscripts:

  • Durrant, J., Seals, D., Connell, M., Russell, M., Lawson, B., Folian, B., Donato, A., & Lesniweski, L. (2009). Voluntary wheel running restores endothelial function in conduit arteries of old mice: direct evidence for reduced oxidative stress, increased superoxide dismutase activity and down-regulation of NADPH oxidase. J Physiol. Volume 587.13, pages 3271-3285.
    • Perspective written on above Manuscript
      • Lombard, J. (2009). Reduced oxidant stress, increased NO-dependent vasodilatation, and improved endothelial function with voluntary exercise in old mice: another excuse for long walks on the beach. J Physiol. Volume 587.13, page 3059.
  • Pierce, G., Lesniewski, L, Lawson, B., Beske, S., & Seals, D. (2009). Nuclear factor-κB activation contributes to vascular endothelial dysfunction via oxidative stress in overweight/obese middle-aged and older humans. Circulation. Volume 119, pages 1284-1292.

  • Pierce, G., Beske, S., Lawson, B., Southall, K., Benay, F., Donato, A., & Seals, D. (2008). Weight loss alone improves conduit and resistance artery endothelial function in young and older overweight/obese adults. Hypertension. Volume 52, pages 1-8.
    • Editorial Commentary written on above Manuscript
      • Shankar, S. & Steinburg, H. (2008). Weight loss and vascular function. Hypertension. Volume 52, pages 57-58.

  • Stephens, T., Lawson, B., DeVoe, D., & Reiser, R.  (2007). Gender and bilateral differences in single-leg countermovement jump performance with comparison to a double-leg jump. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. Volume 23, pages 190-202.

  • Lawson, B., Stephens, T., DeVoe, D., & Reiser, R.  (2006). Lower-extremity bilateral differences during step-close and no-step countermovement jumps with concern for gender. J Strength & Conditioning Research. Volume 20(3), pages 608-619.

Abstracts:

  •  Lawson, B., Magerko, K., Lesniewski, L., Rippe, C., & Seals, D. (2009). Aortic microRNA expression is altered with aging in mice. FASEB Journal, 23:776.1.

  •   Donato, A., Chiang, R., Pierce, G., Lawson, B., & Seals, D. (2009). Sedentary aging is associated with a senescent endothelial cell phenotype that is ameliorated by habitual aerobic exercise. FASEB Journal, 23:965.15.

  • Walker, A., Pierce, G., Lesniewski, L., Lawson, B., Magerko, K., & Seals, D. (2009). Absence of inhibitor of nuclear factor κ B kinase- mediated suppression of vascular endothelial function in middle-aged/older adults who exercise. FASEB Journal, 23:LB61.

  • Pierce, G., Lesniewski, L., Lawson, B., Beske, S., & Seals, D. (2008). Vascular endothelial nuclear factor-κB contributes to endothelial dysfunction via oxidative stress in middle-aged and older overweight/obese humans. Circulation, 118:S_553-S_554.

  • Lawson, B., Beske, S., Southall, K., Benay, F., Seals, D., & Donato, A. (2008). Weight loss-associated improvements in vascular endothelial function in overweight/obese humans are related to reductions in abdominal visceral fat. FASEB Journal, 22:743.1.

  • Donato, A., Lawson, B., Jablonski, K., Gano, L., & Seals, D. (2008). Age-related vascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with altered regulation of nuclear factor κ B and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in humans. FASEB Journal, 22:964.12.

  • Pierce, G., Lesniewski, L., Lawson, B., Beske, S., & Seals, D. (2008). Nuclear factor κ B-associated inflammation mediates impaired vascular endothelial function in non-diabetic middle-aged and older overweight/obese men. FASEB Journal, 22:743.2.

  • Jablonski, K., Gano, L., Lawson, B., Pierce, G., Eskurza, I., Seals, D., & Donato, A. (2008). Increased cytochrome P450 2C9 signaling does not contribute to vascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy older adults. FASEB Journal, 22:967.1.

  • Seibert, S.M., Donato, A., Lawson, B., Seals, D., & Walker, A. (2008).Vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging in healthy adults is related to total white blood cell count and selective immune cell populations. FASEB Journal, 22:967.13.
  • Gano, L., Magerko, K., Roeca, C., Lawson, B., Jablonski, K., Seals, D., & Donato, A. (2008). Inflammatory circulating mononuclear cell phenotype in healthy older adults with low-grade systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. FASEB Journal, 22:1155.4.
  • Edwards, L., Beske, S., Eskurza, I., Silver, A., Southall, K., Benay, F., Lawson, B., & Seals, D. (2007). Reduced endothelium-dependent dilation with aging is associated with increased abdominal visceral fat. FASEB Journal, 21:957.17.

  • Lawson, B., Stephens, T., DeVoe, D., & Reiser, R. (2006).  Bilateral differences in lower-extremity biomechanics during step-close and no-step jumps.  Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Volume 38, Issue 5, p. S397.

  • Southall K., Benay F., Lawson, B., Silver A., Seals D., & Beske S. (2006). Elevated abdominal visceral fat is associated with vascular endothelial oxidative stress and inflammation among overweight and obese humans. FASEB Journal, 20(5):LB21c.

  • Benay, F., Achen, K., Lawson, B., Seals, D., & Beske, S. (2006). Reduction in abdominal visceral fat improves endothelium-dependent dilation in overweight and obese humans. FASEB Journal, 20(5):LB17.

  • Stephens, T., Lawson, B., & Reiser, R. (2005). Bilateral asymmetries in max effort single-leg vertical jumps.  Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation,  41: 317, p.22.

Other Interests

 

Sophomore Volleyball Coach
Fairview High School, Boulder, Colorado, Fall 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Six Dogs Volleyball Coach
Six Dogs Volleyball Club, Boulder, Colorado, Nov. 2008-June 2009

Wave Team Volleyball Coach
Fairview High School, Boulder, Colorado, Fall 2005