Chao-Yin Chen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor In-Residence
Ph.D., Kent State University, 1996
(530) 754-6458
e-mail

Recent/Current
Research Funding

National Institutes of Health

UC Presidents's Undergraduate Fellowship

Graduate Group Affiliations

Exercise Science Graduate Group

Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

Research Interests

Central neuroplasticity in cardiovascular regulation

Research Synopsis

Blood pressure and heart rate are regulated by CNS on a moment-to-moment bases.   Depending on the interaction between the genetic and environmental factors, the CNS regulatory output can result in either a normal or a pathological outcome.  My research focuses on central regulation of cardiovascular function and how this regulation is altered in response to environmental factors such as exercise, stress, exposure to air pollution, hypertension, and obesity.  We are particularly interested in how the neurons in the baroreflex pathways change their intrinsic and/or synaptic properties as well as the neurotransmitter/neuromodulator and the receptors involved in the altered regulatory output.  Studies are carried out in two major brainstem nuclei: the first central site that receives and integrates sensory information (Nucleus Tractus Solitarii) and the final output for cardiac parasympathetic motor nerves (Nucleus Ambiguus).

Selected Publications

2008 Chen, C-Y., D. Chow, N. Chiamvimonvat, K. A. Glatter, N. Li, Y. He, K. E. Pinkerton, and A. C. Bonham.  Short-term second-hand smoke exposure decreases heart rate variability and increases arrhythmia susceptibility in mice.  Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.  295(2):H632-H639. 

2008 S. Sekizawa, C-Y. Chen, A. G. Bechtold, J. M. Tabor, J. M. Bric, K. E. Pinkerton, J. P. Joad, and A. C. Bonham.  Extended secondhand tobacco smoke exposure induces plasticity in nucleus tractus solitarius second-order lung afferent neurons in young guinea pigs.  Eur. J. Neurosci. 28(4):771-78. 

2009 Chen, C-Y., J.P. Joad, J. Bric, A.C. Bonham.  Central mechanisms I: plasticity of central pathways.  Handb Exp Pharmacol.  187: 187-201.

2009 Chen, C-Y., A. G. Bechtold, J. M. Tabor, and A. C. Bonham.  Post-exercise hypotension is associated with neurokinin 1 receptor internalization.  J. Neurosciences. 29: 2754-2761.

2009 Pham, H., A. C. Bonham, K. E. Pinkerton, C-Y. Chen.  Central neuroplasticity and decreased heart rate variability following particulate matter exposure in mice.  Environmental Health Perspective. 117(9): 1448 – 53.

2010 Zhong, C-Y., Y-M. Zhou, K.R. Smith, I.M. Kennedy, C-Y. Chen, A.E. Aust, K.E. Pinkerton. Oxidative injury in the lungs of neonatal rats following short-term exposure to ultrafine iron and soot particles. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 73(12):837-847.

2010 Howell, L.P., C-Y. Chen, J. Joad, R. Green, E. Callahan, A.C. Bonham. Addressing the Issues and Challenges of Non-Tenure Track Research Faculty at the UCDavis School of Medicine. Academic Medicine. (in press).

2010 Chen C-Y. and A.C. Bonham. Postexercise hypotension: central mechanisms. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews (in press).

 

Recent/Current Teaching

MCP 210B,  Advanced Physiology, Autonomic nervous system