Audrey Vasauskas, Ph.D.

Dr. Vasauskas received her BS in Biology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland and her PhD from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (departments of Pharmacology and Comparative Medicine). She completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Center for Lung Biology at the University of South Alabama, and during this time received an F32 Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award by the National Institutes of Health to fund her work in pulmonary endothelial physiology. Her research has also been funded by the American Heart Association (AHA), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). In addition to her pulmonary biology research, Dr. Vasauskas also has interest in the effects of proactive self-care and stress reduction, including nutrition, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), yoga, and exercise on disease prevention and reversal. This interest is expanding from investigating effects of wellness proactivity on not only the individual, but also entire communities.

Dr. Vasauskas has been conducting research and teaching physiology, biology, and medical science-related courses for over 15 years and has mentored undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in both industry and academia. Prior to her career in academia, she spent several years in the biotechnology industry, where she served as project leader for oncology diagnostic development.

Dr. Vasauskas has experience in developing and growing institutional research programs, overseeing multiple research projects, instituting and ensuring research compliance, maintaining and accreditation reports, and directing student and faculty research.  She most recently served as the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Activity and Associate Professor of Physiology at the Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Research and Grant Development and Associate Professor of Physiology at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also a registered yoga teacher and has been leading yoga classes since 2006.

Courses Teaching:

• Preclinical courses

Professional Affiliations and Awards:

• American Physiological Society
• American Heart Association
• National Organization of Research Development Professionals
• American College of Lifestyle Medicine
• International Association of Medical Science Educators
• Generalists in Medical Education
• National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners National Faculty
• ACOM Distinguished Service Award; Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2022
• Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductee, Arnold P. Gold Foundation and ACOM; May 2020
• International Association of Medical Science Educators travel award, IAMSE conference, Burlington VT; 2017
• American Heart Association Research Leaders Academy (by invitation); September 2017
• American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Hill Day science advocacy representative to United States Congress; 2014

Community Attributes:

• Community outreach
• Health education
• Yoga Classes
• Science Fair
• Science Camp

Research/Areas of Interest:

Pulmonary health, blood vessel biology and health, wellness and nutrition, community and individual health and proactive wellness.

Recent Publications:

•  Miller A, Gustin D, Wilson J, Johns J, Fotopoulos TJ, Garg R, and Vasauskas AA, Autonomic Rehabilitation: Vagal and Sympathetic Impacts of Modified Occipitomastoid Suture V-Spread. PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation. 2024 (accepted and in process)
• Ibiwoye, MO, Snyder EA, Lyons J, Vasauskas AA, Hernandez MJ, Summerlin AR, and Foster JA. The Effect of Short-Term Exposure to Cadmium on the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Barrier Antigen in the Developing Rat Forebrain and Cerebellum: A Computerized Quantitative Immunofluorescent Study. Cureus. 14(4): e23848. doi:10.7759/cureus.23848. 2022
• Kwon MJ, Hamilton CL, Brown JR, Snyder EA, and Vasauskas AA. FK506 Binding protein 51 colocalizes with microtubules and may contribute to metabolic abnormalities by directing glucocorticoid receptor localization in pulmonary artery endothelial cells isolated from the Sugen rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 79 (9 supplement, 1663).  2022.
• Buttars B, Olsen J, McClean J, Fountain L, Goodwin J, Grant W, Hatton T, Clemmons M, Vasauskas A, Hamilton C. The Impact of Community-Generated PPE during the SARS-COV2 Pandemic. Frontiers in Health Services. 2021. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2021.786062
• Hamilton CL, Kadeba PI, Vasauskas AA, Solodushko V, McClinton AK, Alexeyev M, Scammell JG, Cioffi DL. Protective role of FKBP51 in calcium entry-induced endothelial barrier disruption. Pulmonary Circulation. 8(1):2045893217749987, 2018.