Aaron J. Trask
Fourth Year Student, 2007-2008
Education: B.S. in Biology with Biochemistry minor, 2003, Ohio Northern University
Graduate Program: Physiology and Pharmacology
Laboratory Department: The Hypertension and Vascular Research Center
Email: atrask@wfubmc.edu
Advisors: Dr. Carlos M. Ferrario
I chose Wake Forest University because they have a prominent center for hypertension, a disease in which I am thoroughly interested. Not only is Wake Forest University School of Medicine a leader in biomedical research, but it also has some of the best faculty anywhere. I felt at home when I interviewed here; the faculty went out of their way to help answer any questions I had about the program or the Winston-Salem area. I look forward to completing my doctoral education at Wake Forest University.
Current Research:
My research focuses on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the heart. For these studies, I utilize a Langendorff isolated heart perfusion apparatus to study the role of ACE2 in the regulation of cardiac function. The findings from these studies will offer insight into the proposed counteractive effects of peptide hormones [angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7)] in the renin-angiotensin system, thus bringing us one step closer to understanding how hypertension is controlled in the body.
Research Support:
American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Predoctoral Fellowship.
Aaron J. Trask, PI. “The ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7) Axis in Heart Failure.”
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2009. Total Award Amount: $40,000.
Publications:
Trask AJ, Ferrario CM. Angiotensin-(1-7): Pharmacology and New Perspectives in Cardiovascular Treatments. Cardiovascular Drug Reviews 2007. In Press.
Trask AJ, Averill DB, Ganten D, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Primary Role of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 in Cardiac Production of Angiotensin-(1-7) in Transgenic Ren-2 Hypertensive Rats. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007;292:H3019-H3024.
Ferrario CM, Trask AJ, Jessup JA. Advances in biochemical and functional roles of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin-(1-7) in regulation of cardiovascular function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2005 Dec;289(6):H2281-90.
Abstracts:
Trask AJ, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Major Role for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 in Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in the Congenic Hypertensive mRen2.Lewis Rat. Accepted for the annual meeting of the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Tucson, Arizona, 2007.
Trask AJ, Averill DB, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Predominance of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 to Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in [mRen2]27 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats. Inter-American Society of Hypertension/COSEHC Annual Scientific Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida, 2007.
Trask AJ, Averill DB, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Predominance of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 to Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in [mRen2]27 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats. Hypertension 2006; 48(4): e72.
Trask AJ, Averill DB, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Cardiac Production of Angiotensin-(1-7) by Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. Wake Forest University Surgical Sciences Research Day, 2005.
Poster Presentations:
Major Role for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 in Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in the Congenic Hypertensive mRen2.Lewis Rat. Accepted for the annual meeting of the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research, Tucson, Arizona, 2007.
Predominance of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 to Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in [mRen2]27 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats. Inter-American Society of Hypertension/COSEHC Annual Scientific Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida, 2007.
Predominance of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 to Cardiac Angiotensin-(1-7) Production in [mRen2]27 Transgenic Hypertensive Rats. American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research, San Antonio, Texas, 2006.
Trask AJ, Averill DB, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM. Cardiac Production of Angiotensin-(1-7) by Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. Wake Forest University Surgical Sciences Research Day, 2005.