Pharmacy Practice and Science

Research in the Wheeler lab revolves around development of statistical models, algorithms, and software for problems (primarily) motivated by biological data sets. This work largely focuses on three broad domains: genomics, drug discovery, and animal tracking/behavior. In the area of genomics, they develop probabilistic models and neural networks designed to improve the sensitivity with which genome sequences are labeled, algorithms to perform these tasks more quickly, and methods to reduce false labeling. In the area of drug discovery, they develop machine learning approaches to rapidly explore the binding potential of billions of candidate drugs. In the area of animal tracking/behavior, they develop complex models that can accurately track multiple interacting animals in recorded video, and automatically classify their behavior.

Our laboratory studies cellular and tissue injury due to oxidative stress. We pioneered the discovery that cells surviving oxidative stress develop hypertrophy. This discovery has been validated in many cell types as a consequence of cellular stress and survival response. Enlarged cells contribute to loss of functionality during the development of diseases. In the myocardium, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy can be detected as a result of ischemic injury and contributes to heart failure. Continuing on the investigation of mechanisms of cell survival has led us to focus on cellular defense system. From our many years of comprehensive and systematic studies on cellular and molecular events initiated by oxidative stress, Nrf2 stands out as the key controller for cell defenses. We have made several discoveries in recent years, including 1) oxidative stress induced de novo Nrf2 protein translation; 2) Nrf2 physically interacts with mitochondria and protects mitochondria against oxidative stress induced decay; and 3) deficiency in Nrf2 sensitizes the myocardium to ischemic injury.

Bonnie LaFleur, PhD, is a Research Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Arizona BIO5 Institute. Dr. LaFleur’s scientific biography reflects her 20-year career as both a collaborative statistician and a scientific leader in precision medicine, specifically with respect to biomarker and interventional driven clinical trials. She has direct experience in defining short- and long-term strategies for optimal information-driven clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes. In addition to direct experience with regulatory submissions for FDA and EMA approved diagnostic tests, she has an extensive history in extramural funding support, both as Quantitative Core Director and leading Research Projects. Dr. LaFleur's research interests include developing and implementing advanced statistical techniques for biomarker discovery through translational science. Subject areas include cancer, aging, and methods leveraging observational study designs (health services and real-world evidence designs).

David Nix, PharmD, joined the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science in July, 1996. He will be teaching pharmaceutical calculations this fall as well as beginning practice and research activities. He completed a research fellowship in infectious disease pharmacotherapy in Buffalo, New York. Prior to joining the department, he worked at the Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo as an associate director since 1995 and as assistant director since 1989.

Brian L. Erstad, PharmD, FCCM, is currently a tenured professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. He is also a center investigator for the Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomics Research and a co-director for the Arizona Clinical and Translational Research Graduate Certificate Program. His clinical responsibilities are performed at Banner-University Medical Center Tucson.Dr. Erstad’s research interests pertain to critical care medicine with an emphasis on patient safety and related outcomes research. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.Dr. Erstad has served on the board of directors of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and on numerous committees and task forces for other organizations including AHRQ, USP, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is currently an ad hoc member of the FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee, a steering committee member of the United States Critical Illness and Injury Trials (USCIIT) Group, and treasurer of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.