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Laurie B Cook , Ph.D
(She/Her/Hers)
- Professor (Biology)
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(585) 395-5757
lcook@brockport.edu
Office: Lennon Hall 227
Office Hours:Spring 2023 Course Advisement in 227 Lennon Hall
- Wednesdays 2:30-3:30pm In-Person
- Wednesdays 3:30-5pm on Zoom (email me for link)
- Fridays 8:30-10am In-Person
Spring 2023 Pre-professional Health Office Hours In-Person or on Zoom in 123 Smith Hall
- Fridays 12:30-4pm
Bio
Dr. Cook earned her PhD in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Rochester Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Patricia M. Hinkle. After a short Postdoc at Cornell University in Molecular Biology & Genetics, she joined the SUNY Brockport Faculty in 2005. In addition to teaching several required and elective courses to our majors, Dr Cook serves as Director of the Pre-professional Health Program. She is an active researcher and scholar and has previously held external research grants from both the NSF and NIH totaling over $750K.
Education
Graduate Certificate · Higher Education Administration · Stonybrook University State University of New York, Online Program 2016
Ph.D. · Pharmacology & Physiology · University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 2004
M.S. · Pharmacology & Physiology · University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 2001
B.S. · Biochemistry & Molecular Biology · The University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York 1998
Courses Taught
Current courses: General Biology I w/lab (BIO201), Biological Chemistry Lecture (BIO310) and Lab (BIO311), Cancer Biology (BIO475/575), Advanced Cell Biology (BIO407/507), General Endocrinology (BIO466.566), Intro Honors Research (BIO290), Honors Research (BIO493), Honors Thesis (BIO497),Health Professions Shadowing (PPH300)
Research Interests
Using cell culture models of obesity, we hope to gain a foundational understanding of how adipocytes are triggered to expand and differentiate during adipose tissue development. We are particularly interested in the role that an appetite-stimulating hormone called MCH plays in these decisions, as well as in the recruitment of immune cells like macrophages to adipose tissue, where they can contribute to an inflammatory state. Current student projects include the following:
- Brock Johnston ~ Establishment of a Co-culture Model System for Studying 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Macrophages
- Colin Johnston ~ Isolation of Lipid Droplets for Biochemical Analysis
- Derek Hutchings (Summer Research Student) & Monite Jolivet ~ A Hypothesis: MCHR1 signals to Actin Filaments in 3T3-L1 cells via Arf6 and Arno
- Kayla Young ~ An Extended mRNA Expression Study in Developing Adipocytes: Lcn2
External Grant Funding
2015-2019 - RUI: Adaptation of MCH receptor function during differentiation of adipocytes · The National Science Foundation · Principal Investigator · Grant Number 1515737 · $404,344 ·Major Goal: To determine the role of primary cilia in the regulation of MCHR1 signaling in differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
2016-2017 - RUI: Adaptation of MCH receptor function during differentiation of adipocytes · The National Science Foundation · Principal Investigator · Grant Number 1515737 · $4,000 ·Major Goal: Summer Graduate Student Stipend
2010-2014 - NIH R15 AREA: An Investigation into the Molecular Mechanisms of Melanin-concentrating Hormone Receptor Desensitization · NIH/NIGMS · Principal Investigator · Grant Number 1R15GM090163 · $211,783· Major Goal: To determine the roles of caveolae, beta-arrestin recruitment and receptor degradation to the regulation of MCH signaling.
2010-2011 - NIH R15 AREA: An Investigation into the Molecular Mechanisms of Melanin-concentrating Hormone Receptor Desensitization - Supplement · NIH/NIGMS · Principal Investigator ·Grant Number 1R15GM090163 · $36,132 · Major Goal: To fund the purchase of a fluorescence plate reader to facilitate the aims associated with 1R15GM090163-01.
Professional Memberships
- National Association of Health Professions Advisors
- State University of New York Council for University Advancement
- American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics
- National Society for Experiential Education
- Rochester Academy of Sciences
- The American Society for Cell Biology