Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity and Diabetes
Cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes are major causes of sickness and death. The Cardiovascular, Obesity and Diabetes Research Cluster (CODRC) is composed of a broad group of basic science and clinical faculty drawn from different departments and schools of Marshall University and its affiliated institutions. This Research Cluster offers students the opportunity to gain an education and research training in various aspects of cardiovascular function and diseases, obesity and diabetes. 
Students can choose to conduct their own research in a number of contemporary research areas including:
1) the genetic basis or potential role of oxidative stress or nitric oxide production in hypertension associated with obesity;
2) the roles of altered angiogenesis or increased susceptibility to oxidative stress in diabetic neuropathy;
3) the effects of exercise, disease and aging on molecular mechanisms associated with contractile signal transduction in both vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle;
4) the function in the cardiovascular system of histamine and imidazole metabolites synthesized locally within vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells;
5) the effect of iron overload on the cardiovascular system and treatments to ameliorate this condition.
6) the modulation of the cerebrovasculature by various components of metabolic syndrome.
7) the influence of dietary fat on cardiovascular disease and obesity.
To investigate these topics, students will learn and utilize a variety of genetic, molecular, morphological and physiological experimental techniques and apply them to models at the animal, tissue, cell and molecular levels. The results of each student’s research would contribute directly to a greater understanding of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes, their interrelationships and the development of improved treatments.
Faculty Listing
Curriculum Non-Thesis M.S. Degree