Luca Cucullo

Dr. Cucullo is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences at TTUHSC. He received his Doctoral degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology) from the University of Pisa, School of Pharmacy, in 2000 and a postdoctoral training at the Cleveland Clinic (Dept. of Neurosurgery/Cerebrovascular Research Center) in in vitro cerebrovascular and blood-brain barrier (BBB) modeling. Dr. Cucullo research interests are largely focused on translational neuroscience encompassing both the study of neuroinflammatory mechanisms and cerebrovascular pathophysiology. These include cross interactions between the cellular elements of the neurovascular unit as well as environmental and cellular modulation of BBB functions and their role in the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury and neuroinflammation (e.g., rheological and pro-inflammatory changes in ischemia and stroke). Dr. Cucullo research also focuses on unraveling the differential toxicity of standard and “reduced exposure” tobacco products on the BBB and the biological links between cigarette smoke exposure and pathogenesis/progression of CNS disorders. This research encompasses both the study of neuroinflammatory mechanisms and cerebrovascular pathophysiology. Dr. Cucullo research programs are currently funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R01-DA02912; effects of tobacco smoke toxicity at the blood-brain barrier) and Alternative Research and Development Foundation (effect of hyper- and hypoglycemia on BBB physiology). In addition to his research and teaching duties Dr. Cucullo serves as Managing Editor and Lead Faculty in Neuroscience on WebMed Central. He also serves as Associate editor for the journal Oxidants and Antioxidants in Medical Science and as Editorial Board member for the Journal of Pharmacovigilance.

Biography Updated on 7 March 2013

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