Expertise:
Researching Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Ion Channels and Gap Junctions
Major Product/SVS:
Improving Community through Education, Biomedical Research and Healthcare
Favorite Business Publication:
Biophysical Journal; The Journal of Physiology; Circulation Research; American Journal of Physiology; Cardiovascular Research
Hobbies/Sports:
Running, Bicycling, Cross-Country Skiing, Enjoying Sporting Events, Theater and Movies
Education Degrees:
Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa (1983); Bachelor's Degree in Zoology, Iowa State University (1977)
Affiliations Awards:
American Society for Cell Biology; Biophysical Society; Society of General Physiologists; The American Physiological Society; American Heart Association; League of American Bicyclists; Iroquois Chapter, Sierra Club Earth Day Cleanup; Executive Board, Onondaga Cycling Club; Hamilton White Society; UUP SUNY Upstate Medical University Chapter Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup; Finalist, Louis N. Katz Basic Science Research Prize for Young Investigators, American Heart Association (1986
Industry:
Education and Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Work History:
Professor Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University (2006-Present); Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology SUNY Upstate Medical University (1992-2006); Assistant Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University (1986-1992); Research Associate, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine(1986); National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University (1984-86)
Career Achievements:
Gating of Gap Junctions During Cardiac Action Potentials (2005); Polyamine Block of Connexin40 Gap Junctions (2003); Distinct Conductance and Permeability of Connexin Gap Junctions (1995); Functional Expression of Connexins in Neuro2a (N2a) Cells (1992); First Cardiac Gap Junction Channel Recording (1986)
Expanded Biography:
Dr. Veenstra's interest in cardiac gap junctions began with the desire to understand the basis for conduction delays of the cardiac action potential at discrete locations like the Purkinje-ventricular junction. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Iowa at a time when the patch clamp technique was changing the way scientists study ion channels. He successfully sought the opportunity to apply this new methodology to pairs of embryonic chick cardiac myocytes as an NIH postdoctoral research fellow at Emory University. Getting published in the journal 'Science' was a highpoint of his career that vaulted him to his first and only Faculty appointment. These events made his career possible and he is grateful to the advice and opportunity Dr. Ronald W. Joyner and Dr. Robert L. DeHaan provided him with during those graduate and postdoctoral years that guided him along his career path. The rest of my academic and research career he owe to this training and the collaborations he formed with Dr. Peter R. Brink and Dr. Eric C. Beyer, enabling him to study the biophysical properties of gap junctions and the molecular basis for their formation and function. These efforts continue to this day as they have for the past 20 years and, hopefully, will for the next 20 years to follow. It remains his desire to understand how the connexins form an intercellular hydrophilic pathway for the conduction of ions and second messenger signaling molecules in a selective manner that is gated open and closed by physiological conditions. He believes that success requires a combination of intellectual desire, self-motivation, the unique opportunity to explore new ideas, and the professional collaborations to help you pursue them. Mr. Veenstra published ten book chapters and over 30 articles in scientific journals
Charity:
United Way, World Wildlife Fund, Nature Conservancy, League of American Bicyclists