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 UniversityState University of New York, Online Program2016
Ph.D.· Pharmacology & Physiology ·University of Rochester Medical Center,Rochester, New York2004
M.S.· Pharmacology & Physiology ·University of Rochester Medical Center,Rochester, New York2001
B.S.· Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ·The University at Albany, State Universityof New York, Albany, New York1998
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. Ongoing student projects include the following:
Colin Johnston ~ Lipid Droplet Physiology
Michael Ferrante ~ Gene Expression Changes in Adipocytes During Tissue Development
SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service·2021
Nomination for Outstanding Service Award·2019
Discretionary Salary Award for Service·2011, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Recognition of Support for Students with Disabilities, Brockport·2015
Discretionary Salary Award in Scholarship·2009, 2010, 2014, 2016
Ronald-Fontaine Award for Faculty-Student Engagement, Brockport·2015
Meritorious Service Award, Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science·2014
Travel Award, American Society for Cell Biology·2014
Best Poster Award, Graduate Women in Science·2012
Academic Advisement Award·2009
UUP Professional Development Award·2008
Discretionary Salary Award in Teaching·2006
* Undergraduate Student Co-Authors
**Masters Student Co-Authors
Cook LB,Ophardt, H.D., Galbier, L., Shen, R. Transcriptome analysis of ciliary-dependent MCH signaling in differentiating 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. 2021. Sci Rep 11, 4880.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84138-4PMID: 33649390
*Howard AX, *Elnicki R, *Smith AH, *Galardi J, *Thomas-Ibitoye M, *Cohen K,Cook LB, Sreenilayam B. Isolation of Full-Length Wild-Type LGN Protein. 2018. Vol. IX. page 8. Fort Collins, CO: Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Excellence.www.jurpress.org
**Moden JI, *Haude K, *Carroll R, **Goodspeed A,Cook LB.Analyzing the Role of Receptor Internalization in the Regulation of Melanin-concentrating Hormone Signaling. Int J Endocrin. Vol 2013, Article ID 143052, 10 pages, 2013. PMID: 24348551
Cook LB, *Shum L, **Portwood, S. Melanin-concentrating Hormone Facilitates Migration of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes. Mol Cell Endo. 2010. 320:45-50. PMID: 2017126
Cook LB, **Delorme-Axford EB, *Robinson, K. Caveolae as potential mediators of MCH-signaling pathways. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 2008 Oct 31; 375:592-595. PMID: 18722347
Recent Collaborations with Students:
Dasia Alston (B.S. ’24) What are the factors affecting sunscreen usage in the Black community? presented at the CSTEP Annual Statewide Conference at the University at Buffalo, June 2023.
Monica Asemota (B.S. ’24) Discovering My Passion: A PPH300 Internship ~ Differences Between a Medical Doctor and a Nurse Practitioner. Presented at the 2023 SUNY Brockport Scholar’s Day.
Taylor Slavin (B.S. ’23) MD, DO, PA, and NP - What are the Differences? Presented at the 2023 SUNY Brockport Scholar’s Day.
Kirk Ellison (B.S. ’23) Correlations Between 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D (Vitamin D3) and Adipocyte Growth. Presented at 2023 SUNY Brockport Scholar’s Day.
Brock Johnston (B.S. ’23) The Identification of MCHR-1 in J774A.1 Macrophages and The Effect of Melanin-concentrating Hormone on a 3T3-La Adipocyte/J774A.1 Macrophage Co-culture. Presented at 2023 SUNY Brockport Scholar’s Day.
Colin Johnston (B.S. ’25) Biochemical Isolation of Lipid Droplets from 3T3-L1 Adipocytes presented at the Rochester Academy of Sciences Fall Paper Session, Rochester Museum and Science Center, November 2022.
Brock Johnston (B.S. ’23) Determination of MCH Receptors in J774A.1 Macrophages. presented at the Rochester Academy of Sciences Fall Paper Session, Rochester Museum and Science Center, November 2022.
Derek Hutchings (B.S. ’23) Arf-6 Movement in Response to MCH Treatment in 3T3-L1 Cells presented at SUNY Brockport’s SURP Poster Session, Drake Library, October 2022.
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
