JR Haywood, Ph.D.

• 1971 - B.S., Zoology/Physiology, University of Kentucky
• 1972 - M.S., Zoology/Physiology, University of Kentucky
• 1976 - Ph.D., Pharmacology, University of Florida
• 1977-1978 - Research Fellow, Pharmacology, University of Iowa
• 1979-1985 - Assistant Prof, Pharmacology, Univ of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
• 1981-present - Adjunct Scientist, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research
• 1985-1993 - Associate Prof, Pharmacology, Univ of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
• 1993-2002 - Professor, Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center- San Antonio
• 2002-present - Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University
• 2002-2011 - Chairperson, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University
• 2008-present - Interim Chairperson, Physiology, Michigan State University, Assistant Vice President, Office of Regulatory Affairs, Michigan State University

Research Synopsis

Our research program is focused on neurotransmitter regulation and function in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus in normotensive and hypertensive animals. The paraventricular nucleus serves as a crossroads in integrating homeostatic and allostatic sensory stimuli to regulate the sympathetic nervous system, neuroendocrine function, ingestive behavior, stress responses, and the immune system. Circulating hormones such as angiotensin, aldosterone, and leptin stimulate neural pathways that activate the paraventricular nucleus which, in turn, modulates descending pathways to regulate the sympathetic nervous system and blood pressure. Little is known about neurotransmission and signaling mechanisms in the paraventricular nucleus in response to these chemical and neural stimuli. We use a number of methodological approaches to study the whole animal response to experimental hypertension – microinjection, microdialysis of neural tissue, and biochemical and molecular analyses are employed to understand the relationship between neurotransmitter release and blood pressure control. Models of sodium-dependent hypertension and obesity-related hypertension are studied to gain insights into the factors triggering and sustaining the hypertensive process.

Editorial Boards

• Hypertension
• Clinical and Experimental Physiology and Pharmacology

American Heart Association (AHA)

• Fellow, High Blood Pressure Council, 1986-present

American Physiological Society (APS)

• APS Council, 2001-2004

FASEB

• Board Member, 2009-Present

Association of Medical School Pharmacology Chairs (AMSPC)

• Chairs Program Committee, 2002-2003
• Representative to AAMC Council for Academic Societies, 2004-present
• Council, 2006-2009
• Secretary, 2009-Present

International Council of Laboratory Animal Science (IUPHAR representative)

• Co-Chair, ICLAS-CIOMS Joint Committee to update CIOMS International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals, 2008-Present
• Committee Member, Performance Evaluation Program for Diagnostic Laboratories
• Co-Chair, Harmonization of International Guidelines: Humane Endpoints, 2002-2004

National Committees

• NHLBI Program Project Review Committee, 2003-2007

Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC)

• Council on Accreditation – Member, 1997-2007

Full list of publications at MSU Scholars