Dimitrios Kouzoukas

Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Kentucky

ab88jt@r.postjobfree.com

Summary

Current research focuses on neuro-immune mechanisms of bladder inflammation.

Experience

Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Kentucky

August 2012 - Present (10 months)

Investigating the role of urothelial Protease-Activated Receptors in MIF-mediated bladder inflammation

using a mouse model of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome.

Research Associate (WOC) at Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center

August 2012 - Present (10 months)

Internship at University of Kentucky

June 2011 - July 2011 (2 months)

Received training for patch-clamp electrophysiology in hippocampal brain slices.

Graduate Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Iowa, Graduate College -

Neurobiology (Interdisciplinary Studies)

November 2005 - December 2010 (5 years 2 months)

Studied maturation-acquired alcohol resistance using a cerebellar granule neuronal (CGN) culture model for

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. My research showed that 1) alcohol kills developing neurons by

triggering abnormal Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum via a PLC–IP3 receptor-dependent

mechanism, and that 2) the nitric oxide signaling pathway protects CGN cultures from alcohol exposure by

preventing this endoplasmic reticulum-mediated Ca2+ efflux.

Research Assistant at University of Iowa

2003 - 2005 (2 years)

Performed statistics and data analysis for several studies investigating the neuroanatomical substrates of

emotional processing through MR-based brain morphometry, regional cerebral blood flow responses (PET),

and subjective ratings to emotionally-salient visual stimuli in normal subjects and in patients with lateralized

stroke lesions and in patients with schizophrenia.

Teaching Assistant at University of Iowa

January 2001 - December 2002 (2 years)

For Elementary Psychology, Health Biopsychology, Psychopharmacology, Medical Neuroscience

Teaching Assistant at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine

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January 1999 - May 1999 (5 months)

For Medical Neuroscience

Laboratory Technician at AMCOL International Corp. (Nanocor, Inc)

1996 - 1997 (1 year)

Implemented ASTM standards in the physical characterization of polymer nanocomposites.

Data Entry Operator (Temp) at Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy -

Center for Talent Development

1996 - 1996 (less than a year)

Survey data coding and entry.

Organizations

Research Society on Alcoholism

Society for Neuroscience

Bluegrass Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience

Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois

Kentucky Physiological Society

Languages

English (Native or bilingual proficiency)

Greek

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Publications

Intracellular Calcium Plays A Critical Role In The Alcohol-Mediated Death Of Cerebellar Granule

Neurons.

Journal of Neurochemistry February 2013

Authors: Dimitrios Kouzoukas, Guiying Li, Maysaam Takapoo, Moninger Thomas, Ramesh C. Bhalla,

Nicholas J. Pantazis

Alcohol is a potent neuroteratogen that can trigger neuronal death in the developing brain. However, the

mechanism underlying this alcohol-induced neuronal death is not fully understood. Utilizing primary cultures

of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN), we tested the hypothesis that the alcohol-induced increase in

intracellular calcium ([Ca causes the death of CGN. Alcohol induced a dose-dependent (200-800 mg/dl)

neuronal death within 24 hours. Ratiometric Ca + imaging with Fura-2 revealed that alcohol causes a rapid

(one-two minutes), dose-dependent increase in [Ca which persisted for the duration of the experiment (5

or 7 minutes). The alcohol-induced increase in [Ca was observed in Ca + -free media, suggesting

intracellular Ca + release. Pre-treatment of CGN cultures with an inhibitor (2-APB) of the

inositol-triphosphate receptor (IP3R), which regulates Ca + release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER),

blocked both the alcohol-induced rise in [Ca and the neuronal death caused by alcohol. Similarly,

pre-treatment with BAPTA/AM, a Ca + -chelator, also inhibited the alcohol-induced surge in [Ca and

prevented neuronal death. In conclusion, alcohol disrupts [Ca homeostasis in CGN by releasing Ca +

from intracellular stores, resulting in a sustained increase in [Ca This sustained increase in [Ca may

be a key determinant in the mechanism underlying alcohol-induced neuronal death.

Neuropsychological correlates of normal variation in emotional response to visual stimuli.

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease February 2008

Authors: Dimitrios Kouzoukas

Skills & Expertise

Neuroscience

Fluorescence Microscopy

Animal Models

Image Processing

Cell Culture

Molecular Biology

Signal Transduction

Cell Biology

Scientific Writing

ELISA

Western Blotting

qPCR

RT-PCR

Tissue Culture

In Vitro

In Vivo

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Microscopy

Cell Based Assays

Fluorescence

Medical Statistics

SPSS

Education

University of Iowa

PhD, Neurobiology, 2005 - 2010

Activities and Societies: Graduate Student Senate, Orthodox Christian Fellowship

Loyola University of Chicago

BS, Biology / Psychology, 1992 - 1997

Activities and Societies: Loyola University Chicago Honors Program, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Orthodox Christian

Fellowship

Honors and Awards

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

• Graduate College Summer Fellowship, 2010

• NINDS Neuroscience Training Program Fellowship, 2000–2001

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

• Presidential Scholarship, 1992–1996

• Honors Program, 1992–1994

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Dimitrios Kouzoukas

Postdoctoral Scholar at University of Kentucky

ab88jt@r.postjobfree.com

Contact Dimitrios on LinkedIn

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