Wade Parkhouse

Dean of Graduate Studies

Professor of Kinesiology

phone: 778.782.4255

fax: 778.782.3080

email:  parkhous at sfu dot ca

Office MBC 1100

B. P.E. University of Alberta M.P.E. University of British Columbia Ph.D. University of British Columbia

Research Primary: Skeletal muscle, signal transduction, myogenic factors, gene regulation. The focus of my research is the regulation of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and the maintenance of muscle mass in health and disease. The regulation of muscle mass involves a wide range of biologic events including endocrine and contractile factors, receptor-ligand interactions, signaling, translational and transcriptional control. A combination of molecular, cellular, biochemical and in-vitro approaches are used in my laboratory to address five main areas of research. (1) The signaling pathways involved in the maintenance of muscle mass in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. (2) The role of specific growth and differentiation factors in myogenesis. (3) Enhancement of muscle function using gene therapy or systemic administration of pharmacologic agents for use in neuromuscular disorders or aging. (4) The role of insulin-like growth factors in regulating gene expression. (5) The changes in gene expression that occur with muscle use. Secondary: Applied exercise physiology, cardiovascular neuroautonomic control, aging. The focus of this research is the examination of the role that exercise plays in altering the normal physiological response in health and disease. A combination of behavioral, and physiological approaches are used to address exercise-induced alterations in neuroautonomic control following minor head injuries and the role that exercise can play in maintaining muscular function with aging.