Richard D. Veenstra, Ph.D.'s Natural Curiosity Led Him to Success
Richard D. Veenstra, Ph.D. is a biomedical academic research specialist

Syracuse, NY, July 17, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Richard D. Veenstra, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pharmacology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in medical research and education.

With an impressive background in the field of education, Richard D. Veenstra, Ph.D specializes in teaching and researching cardiovascular electrophysiology, ion channels and gap junctions; more specifically, how certain proteins that heart cells produce efficiently perform the task of conducting an electric current that is essential to the heartbeat. He conducted research on the gating of gap junctions during cardiac action potentials in 2005, the polyamine block of connexin 40 gap junctions in 2003, the distinct conductance and permeability of connexin gap junctions in 1995, and the functional expression of connexins in neuro2a cells in 1992. He obtained the first cardiac gap junction channel recording in 1986—an accomplishment he considers to be the highlight of his career. Dr. Veenstra considers being featured in Science journal, which facilitated his first and only faculty appointment, to be particularly rewarding. He was a finalist for the Louis N. Katz Basic Science Research Prize for Young Investigators in 1986 and considers his desire for learning, his motivation and his ability to take advantage of opportunities that came his way to be the keys to his success.

A natural curiosity about how elements in nature work to perform their assigned functions prompted Dr. Veenstra to pursue a career medical research. He considers making new discoveries to be the most gratifying aspect of his career. Prior to joining SUNY Upstate Medical University, Dr. Veenstra served as an associate professor for 14 years, an assistant professor for six years and a research associate in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Emory University School of Medicine. A published author, he has written more than 12 book chapters and 39 peer-reviewed scientific articles. An avid public speaker, Dr. Veenstra lectures at National Scientific Conferences and the Biannual International Gap Junction Conference.

Dr. Veenstra completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and earned his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from The University of Iowa in 1983 and his Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Iowa State University in 1977. He is a member of the Onondaga Cycling Club, the Hamilton White Society, the Biophysical Society, the World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, United University Professions Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup, the League of American Bicyclists, the Society of General Physiologists, the American Heart Association, The American Physiological Society, and the American Society for Cell Biology.

Press Release Contact Information:

Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
Public Relations
498 RXR Plaza, West Tower
Uniondale, NY
USA 11556
Voice: 516-535-1515 x1266
Website: Visit Our Website