Teaching Strengths
Dr David Wilson
Lecturer
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
College of Health
Dr. Wilson Heads the Molecular Physiology of Vascular Function Research Group at the University of Adelaide. The Group explores novel approaches to manage the molecular defects that cause a variety of vascular disorders, including: hypertension, vasospasm, and sepsis mediated hypotension.
Research Team and Goals
Research Objectives
The objectives of our research group are to identify and investigate mechanisms and therapies for vasomotor disorders. The research involves investigation of vasospasm of large or small vessels, mechanisms contributing to poor vascular response administered vasopressors in septic shock and post surgical patients. The research team is involved in both preclinical, basic research, and translational research using a three-pronged approach, which includes:
Clinical characterisation of vasomotor disorders
Discovery of underlying molecular mechanisms
Exploring novel therapies in basic & clinical studies.
Current Research Projects
- Molecular mechanisms governing the heterogeneity in vascular response to vasopressors.
- Strategies to improve vasopressor responsiveness in post surgical and septic shock patients
- Identification of novel strategies to limit vasospasm in large and microvasculature
Experience and opportunities gained from working in our research group
Postgraduate students undertaking research in the clinical and molecular physiology of vascular function research group have gained experience and knowledge in the following areas:
Clinical research, vascular function testing, isolated vascular contraction studies, subcellular signalling and biochemical control of vascular function.
Travel and Share the excitement of your discovery
Current and past students have enjoyed travelling and presenting their research findings at both national and international conferences in the following locations:
France, Spain, Greece, UK, USA, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth.
The Molecular Physiology of Vascular Smooth Muscle Research Group is interested in enquiries from potential PhD applicants (eligible for, Federal or University funding schemes) for projects in research areas described on these pages.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 - ongoing | Lecturer & Head: Clinical & Molecular Physiology of Vascular Function Research Group | University of Adelaide |
| 2005 - 2010 | Adjunct Assistant Research Professor | University of Calgary |
| 2004 - 2005 | Assistant Research Professor | University of Calgary |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manitoba | Canada | PhD | |
| University of Guelph | Canada | MSc | |
| Brandon University | Canada | BSc(Specialist) |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 - 2004 | Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation Fellowship | University of Calgary | Canada |
| 1999 - 2001 | Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Fellowship | University of Calgary | Canada |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Wilson, D. P. (2011). Vascular Smooth Muscle Structure and Function. In R Fitridge and M Thompson (Ed.), Mechanisms of Vascular Disease (pp. 13-23). University of Adelaide Press. DOI Scopus20 |
| 2007 | Walsh, M., Susnjar, M., Deng, J., Sutherland, C., Kiss, E., & Wilson, D. (2007). Phosphorylation of the Protein Phosphatase Type 1 Inhibitor Protein CPI-17 by Protein Kinase C. In Greg Moorhead (Ed.), Protein Phosphatase Protocols (Vol. 365, pp. 209-224). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. DOI Scopus17 Europe PMC17 |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Biological Studies in Coronary Vasomotor Disorders | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Alex Minopoulos |
| 2022 | Principal Supervisor | The challenge of too much and too little vasoconstriction in patient populations: towards improvement in clinical management of cardiac patients with coronary spasm and septic shock patients with vasopressor insensitivity | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Anastasia Zacharia |
| 2022 | Principal Supervisor | The challenge of too much and too little vasoconstriction in patient populations: towards improvement in clinical management of cardiac patients with coronary spasm and septic shock patients with vasopressor insensitivity | - | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Anastasia Zacharia |
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | Biological Studies in Coronary Vasomotor Disorders | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Alex Minopoulos |
| 2022 | Principal Supervisor | The challenge of too much and too little vasoconstriction in patient populations: towards improvement in clinical management of cardiac patients with coronary spasm and septic shock patients with vasopressor insensitivity | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Anastasia Zacharia |
| 2020 | Co-Supervisor | Improving Functioning for People with Neurological Health Conditions | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Dr Anupam Datta Gupta |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 - 2017 | Co-Supervisor | Molecular Mechanisms of Sex-Differences in Vascular Reactivity of Human Internal Mammary Artery | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Victor Lamin |
| 2011 - 2014 | Principal Supervisor | Vascular reactivity in sepsis and platelet dysfunction in septic shock | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | APrf Benjamin John Reddi |
| 2010 - 2013 | Principal Supervisor | The Molecular Basis of Small Vessel Constriction in Endothelin-1 Models and Peripheral Arterial Disease | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Kanchani Kitto |
| 2010 - 2013 | Principal Supervisor | Regulation of Calcium-Dependent Vasoconstriction in Large and Small Arteries | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Yann Yoong Chan |
| 2010 - 2011 | Principal Supervisor | The functional and molecular consequences of oxidation in the skeletal muscle myofilament | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Dr Timothy Nicholas Spencer |
| 2010 - 2011 | Principal Supervisor | Statin mediated vasodilation in the vaculature | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Scott Copley |
| 2010 - 2012 | Co-Supervisor | The Role of Stim and Orai Proteins in the CalCium Release-Activated CalCium Channel | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Nathan Scrimgeour |
| 2010 - 2015 | Co-Supervisor | Sex-Dependent Differences in Vasomotor Responses of Older Male and Female Humans | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Amenah Jaghoori |
| 2006 - 2010 | Co-Supervisor | Calcium Channel Distribution in the Arterial Vascular Tree and its Relation to Function | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mrs Christine Smith |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 - 2018 | Advisory Board Member | SGDE Program Evaluation Board | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Health Sciences Program Board | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 - 2018 | Chair | SGDE Review Committee Faculty of Health Sciences | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | SGDE: Developing Teacher capacity and Development in SGDE | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Communities of Practice: Learning Analytics | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2015 - 2015 | Member | University Open Day Committee | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Member | Communities of Practice: Flipped Classroom | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2014 - ongoing | Member | Translational Science Taskforce | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 - ongoing | Advisory Board Member | Australia and New Zealand Microcirculation Society | Australia |