Dr. Lowry’s research program focuses on understanding: 1) stress-related physiology and behaviour with an emphasis on the microbiome-gut-brain axis, including the role of serotonin, a chemical signaling molecule in the body and the brain, and 2) neural mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as development of novel strategies for both the prevention and treatment of these disorders and their medical comorbidity, such as allergy, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. He has published ~262 peer-reviewed articles and is currently an editorial board member for Stress: The International Journal on the Biology of Stress, and Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, and Brain, Behavior, and Immunity—Health. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Institute for Cannabis Research (ICR), and Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development (VA-ORD), currently fund his research.
IPHY 1181 - Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2022
Provides introduction to research and laboratory experience. Students will work in teams to screen novel mycobacterial strains for use as probiotics or immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory drugs using THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line. Topics covered include the hygiene or "Old Friends" hypothesis, the human microbiome, approaches to screening for new probiotics of therapeutics and statistical analysis of the data. Same as MCDB 1181.
IPHY 4440 - Endocrinology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Introduces mammalian endocrine system. Provides a thorough analysis of chemical communication by hormones and related bioregulators with emphasis on the major endocrine systems such as the thyroid, gonad, pituitary and the brain. All registration restrictions will be strictly enforced by the department. Same as IPHY 5440.
IPHY 4870 - Honors Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
An opportunity for students enrolled in the IPHY Honors program to earn academic credit for working on their thesis. Twenty-five hours of work is required for each hour of academic credit given. Consult for faculty mentor for approval. Recommended prerequisites: IPHY 3700; and IPHY 4850 (taken concurrently).
IPHY 4930 - Internship
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Offers upper-division students practical experience in laboratory, clinical, and field settings with direct supervision Students can earn 1 credit for every 45 hours of intern work. Consult with departmental internship coordinator for approval. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Department enforced prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of two upper-division IPHY courses.
IPHY 6010 - Seminar
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Presents special topics in integrative physiology. May be repeated up to 15 total credits.
IPHY 6840 - Research Project
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2022
Involves a scholarly investigation of a selected topic using literature and/or experimental techniques. Advisor required. May be repeated up to 3 total credit hours.
MCDB 1181 - Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2022
Provides introduction to research and laboratory experience. Students will work in teams to screen novel mycobacterial strains for use as probiotics or immunoregulatory/anti-inflammatory drugs using THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line. Topics covered include the hygiene or "Old Friends" hypothesis, the human microbiome, approaches to screening for new probiotics of therapeutics and statistical analysis of the data. Same as IPHY 1181.
MCDB 4980 - Honors Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2024
Provides faculty-supervised research for students who have been approved by the departmental honors committee. Normally taken during the semester before completion of the honors thesis. Recommended prerequisite: MCDB 4840 or comparable research experience, and minimum GPA of 3.20.
MCDB 4990 - Honors Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Involves the preparation and defense of an honors thesis, based on faculty-supervised original research, including final phases of the research project. Recommended prerequisites: MCDB 4840 or MCDB 4980 or comparable research experience, and minimum GPA of 3.3 and approval by the MCDB Honors Committee.
