Michael Sturek, M.S., Ph.D. has 35 years of experience in academia, teaching and conducting research on cardiometabolic disease. He also was department Chair for 15 years. The general aim of his research program is to understand cellular and molecular Ca2+ signaling mechanisms for in vivo comorbidities in cardiometabolic disease. His research encompasses experimental approaches at all levels – from human tissue to whole animal, organ, tissue, cell, and molecular.

Dr. Sturek focuses on vascular biology and imaging ranging from cellular Ca2+ signaling dynamics to intravascular ultrasound, photoacoustic, and positron emission tomography of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. He was one of the first to characterize with patch-clamp two types of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells. His imaging of coronary atherosclerosis and Ca2+ signaling studies on cells from human coronary arteries guides his studies in Ossabaw miniature swine that superbly translate to human metabolism and atherosclerosis. These studies have resulted in a patent on a coronary stent and a start-up company. Dr. Sturek’s productivity in vascular biology, engineering, and entrepreneurship is shown in 214 manuscripts and book chapters.