Brian G. Kennedy, PhD
Associate Professor Emeritus of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology
- Phone
- (219) 980-6520
- Address
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DUNES MED/PROF 3054
MEDN
NW
North West, IN 46408 - PubMed:
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Bio
Dr. Kennedy received his Ph.D. in Physiology at Washington University in St. Louis. He joined IU School of Medicine after postdoctoral work at Yale University and at the University of Pennsylvania. At IU he has been active in research, research mentoring for undergraduate and graduate students, curricular reform and medical student instruction in the foundational sciences. He is currently an Associate professor in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | PhD | Washington University |
| 1973 | BA | Bowdoin College |
Dr. Kennedy’s research focuses on metabolic regulation and ion transport in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is an epithelial monolayer situated between the sensory retina and its choroidal blood supply. It sustains retinal photoreceptors by performing typical epithelial functions such as water transport, regulation of extracellular ion activity and transepithelial solute exchange. Notably, the retina is the most metabolically active mammalian tissue with photoreceptors exhibiting the highest O2 demand of any cell. All of the O2 delivered to the photoreceptors comes from the choroidal circulation and must thus pass through the RPE. Photoreceptors are critically dependent on this O2 delivery and even small decrements in systemic oxygenation can lead to measurable changes in vision. The RPE has been shown to express the protein hemoglobin. A current research focus is the possible involvement of hemoglobin in oxygen delivery to photoreceptors through the RPE monolayer.
Desc: Trustee Teaching Award
Scope: University
Date: 2020-05-01
Desc: Trustee Teaching Award
Scope: University
Date: 2017-05-01
Desc: Trustee Teaching Award
Scope: University
Date: 2011-05-01