| Email: ssmjm@u.washington.edu |
The primary research emphasis focuses on the effects of environmental factors on the turnover of arterial macrophages and on the stability of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in transgenic hyperlipidemic mouse models. These studies include effects of nutritional factors such as pro-and anti-oxidants and high dietary methionine (leading to hyperhomocysteinemia) and the effects of exogenous hormones such as estrogen and progestins. In collaboration with faculty members in Pathobiology and with colleagues at UCLA, we are also studying the effects of infectious agents such as Influenza virus A and Chlamydia pneumoniae on the death of macrophages and the stability of advanced atherosclerotic lesions.