Position:
Associate Professor of PharmacogenomicsLocation:
Health Professions Building 268Phone:
(540) 542-6513Email: smovafag@snsxedu.net
Employed Since:
2011Educational History:
PharmD From University of California San Francisco, PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice residency at Washington Hospital Center, PhD and Post Doc in Pharmacology and Biophysics from Georgetown University.
Fields of Expertise:
- Pharmacology of the cardiovascular system
- Basic and Clinical Pharmacogenomics
Professional Highlights:
Completed Pharmacogenomics and Pharmaceutical Sciences training track at University of California San Francisco
Recipient of Post Doctoral NRSA fellowship from NIH
Author of book chapters and several manuscripts on hypoxia and kidney disease
Delivered several invited national and international presentations on topics of hypoxic mechanisms of disease as well as Pharmacogenomics for Pharmacists
Research:
My research has been focused on understanding hypoxic mechanism of disease. I have long investigated the role of hypoxia inducible factor 1 in pathogenesis of cardiac and renal diseases. Recently, HIF-1 has become a therapeutic target for treatment of anemia of kidney disease. My most recent research involves studying the effect of HIF-1 enhancing drugs (Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors) on development and progression of kidney disease. My more recent research involves stress-related gene modification and the epigenetic impact of stress-reducing methods, including the TAMARKOZ(TM) method of meditation. In particular, I am interested in studying the effect of meditative techniques on the DNA methylation of stress-related genes such as oxytocin, corticotropin receptor, etc.