J. DAVID SYMONS, PhD portrait
  • Professor, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
  • Adjunct Professor, Internal Medicine
  • Investigator, Molecular Medicine Program
  • Professor, Nutrition & Integrative Physiology

Research Summary

We explore mechanisms responsible for vascular dysfunction associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Recently we are interrogating the contribution from endothelial cell autophagy to vascular complications that occur during the aging process. This is relevant because aging-related cardiovascular complications are the primary cause of death in individuals > 65 y old, and patient-management costs to the healthcare system are enormous and unsustainable.

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
  • Master of Science, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
  • Bachelor of Science, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Biosciences Division, Environmental Physiology, Defense and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine. Project: Downsview Ontario, Canada
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California, Davis; Davis, California

Biography

1990-94 Assistant Research Physiologist Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine University of California, Davis; Davis, California

1994-95 Senior Research Scientist Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation; San Diego, California

1995-2001 Assistant Adjunct Professor Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine University of California, Davis; Davis, California

2001-05 Assistant Professor University of Utah, College of Health, Department of Exercise Sport Science; Salt Lake City, Utah

2006-Present Professor University of Utah, College of Health, Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology; Salt Lake City, Utah

2007-Present Adjunct Associate Professor University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes; Salt Lake City, Utah

2013-Present Professor, University of Utah, College of Health, Kinesiology 

2014-Present Investigator, University of Utah Molecular Medicine Program

After my second postdoctoral fellowship at UC Davis, I was appointed to the faculty in the School of Medicine at UC Davis until I moved to the University of Utah in 2001. I have a primary appointment in the College of Health, Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Adjunct appointment in Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes (my lab is in the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics), I am an Investigator in the University of Utah Molecular Medicine Program, a member of Diabetes and Metabolism Center, and the Center on Aging.