Current Research Interests

Mechanisms of decreased endothelium dependent dilation and increased inflammation and  oxidative stress during aging

Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Cardiovascular Aging: Modulatory Influence of Regular Aerobic Exercise

 

 

Education

 

Concurrent B.A. and M.S. in Integrative Physiology

University of Colorado, Boulder, 2009

 

 

 

Research Experience

 

Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory, Professional Research Assistant
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, June 2009 - Present

 

Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory, Graduate Assistant
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, May 2007 - May 2009

 

Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Undergraduate Assistant
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, June 2006 - April 2007

 

 

 

Teaching Experience

 

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall 2008 and Spring 2009: Exercise Physiology Lab

 

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Spring 2008: Exercise Physiology Lab

 

Responsibilities

Subject recruitment

Subject screening and testing

Scheduling

Data management

EcoLeader

 

 

Physiological Testing Experience

Graded Exercise Tests

VO2 Max Testing

Flow Mediated Dilation

Venous Occlusion Plethysmography

In Vitro Isolated Vessel Vascular Reactivity

 

 

Wetlab Experience (Molecular and Cellular)

Endothelial Cell Collection and Processing

DNA Extraction

Mononuclear Cell Isolation

Western Blotting

Ex-Vivo Whole Blood Cytokine Production

 

 

Software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Powerpoint

Microsoft Publisher

 

 

 

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.

o  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.

 

 

Abstracts

Russell MJ, Donato AJ, Zigler ML, Lesniewski LA, and Seals DR. Voluntary running and caloric restriction reverse cerebrovascular endothelial dysfunction in old mice by restoring nitric oxide bioavailability.  FASEB J, Apr 2011; 25: 1108.16.

 

Walker AE, Pierce GL, Kaplon RE, Russell MJ, Lesniewski LA, Donato AJ, Seals DR. Absence of nuclear factor κB-mediated suppression of vascular endothelial function with aging in exercising adults. FASEB J, Apr 2011; 25: 821.6.

 

Connell ML, Durrant JR, Russell MJ, Donato AJ, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. Voluntary wheel running abolishes vascular inflammation and restores endothelial function in old mice. FASEB J, Apr 2009; 23: 777.6.    

Durrant JR, Folian BJ, Connell ML, Russell MJ, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. Chronic aerobic exercise opposes age- and high fat diet-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction: relation to IKKβ and AMPK. FASEB J, Apr 2009; 23: 777.7.

 

Russell MJ, Folian BJ, Durrant JR, Connell ML, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. Aging increases susceptibility to western diet-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in mice. FASEB J, Apr 2009; 23: 990.18.

 

Connell ML, Durrant JR, Folian BJ, Russell MJ, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. Anti-inflammatory treatment restores endothelium-dependent dilation in older mice by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. FASEB J. Mar 2008; 22: 967.5.        

 

Durrant JR, Connell ML, Folian BJ, Russell MJ, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. B6D2F1 mouse model to study the effects of habitual aerobic exercise on vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging. FASEB J. Mar 2008; 22: 1235.11.   

Folian BJ, Durrant JR, Connell ML, Russell MJ, Seals DR and  Lesniewski LA. Aging is associated with increased susceptibility to western diet-induced glucose intolerance and endothelial dysfunction in mice. FASEB J. Mar 2008; 22: 1226.7.

 

 

Molly Russell

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
Email: molly.russell@colorado.edu