Donald R. Gerecke, PhD

Associate Professor

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Lab Affiliation: Gerecke-Gordon Laboratory, EOHSI

Education & Training

PhD - Anatomy and Cellular Biology - Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
MS - Entomology and Economic Zoology - Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
BS - Animal Science Zoology - Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Research Interests

My main research interests involve the interaction of proteins that contribute to skin integrity. These involve several collagens and laminins that I initially cloned and have continued to study for over twenty years. In skin, these proteins are linked in a continuum from the keratin intermediate filaments (which are inside the cell) to protein receptors embedded in the cell membrane, to the extracellular proteins that are anchored to the basement membrane zone on one end and the dermis on the other end. My extensive experience in dermatological research, particularly the role of extracellular matrix proteins and their contributions to skin integrity has permitted me to move into the area of skin toxicology. Thus, my more recent work has focused on wound repair after skin exposure to the vesicant chemical warfare agents, nitrogen and sulfur mustard. My ultimate goal has been on pharmacologic agents that aid in the wound repair process. My hope is that by studying the basic mechanism of vesicant-induced skin damage I will identify novel pathways of injury that can be targeted by medical therapeutics and result in quicker healing of dermal wounds in the absence of scarring.

Publications

Awards

2015 - Best Paper of the Year Award, Society of Toxicology Dermatotoxicity Specialty Section, “Therapeutic potential of a non-steroidal bifunctional anti-inflammatory and anti-cholinergic agent against skin injury induced by sulfur mustard”, with co-author, Research Assistant Professor Yoke Chang