Blackman Lab • University of Virginia •  Department of Biomedical Engineering • 415 Lane Road • MR-5 Room, 2226 • Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
Research Research PhD Graduate Student
Nicole Hastings
PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering
BS, North Carolina State University, 2004
 
nikki_hastings@virginia.edu
BIO Nikki joined the Blackman Lab in 2004 after receiving her undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University in Biomedical Engineering. Nikki’s area of research involves elucidating mechanisms of cross-talk involved in the phenotypic modulation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells during early atherosclerosis. To study this, she has developed and characterized a novel in vitro based endothelial and smooth muscle cell co-culture model whereby hemodynamic shear stress patterns derived from atherosclerosis-prone or atherosclerosis-protective regions are applied to the endothelium. From this model, Nikki has identified several novel factors and new functional consequences of known ctyokines in atherosclerosis. Nikki is currently an active participant on the NIH Basic Cardiovascular Training Grant. When not working in the lab, she enjoys free time with her husband and puppy, running, and cheering for the New York Yankees. Research Development and characterization of a hemodynamic-based biomimetic vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell co-culture model of atherosclerosis Investigating the mechanisms of smooth muscle and endothelial phenotypic modulation in atherosclerosis-prone hemodynamic environments Publications Hastings NE, Simmers MB, McDonald O, Wamhoff BR, Blackman BR. “Atherosclerosis-prone hemodynamics differentially regulates endothelial and smooth muscle cell phenotypes and promotes pro-inflammatory priming.” Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2007 (in press) Lab Photo Gallery Home News Research Publications People Laboratory of Atherogenesis