David Jones
He/Him
I am gay and I am a molecular physiologist.//
I am a third-year Biomedical Sciences PhD student at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. I’ve spent the last nine years of my scientific journey studying various aspects of vascular physiology in the context of hypertension and vascular dysfunction. When I started my PhD journey, I found myself pulled in the direction of ion channel physiology in the regulation of vascular tone. This interest eventually led me to the chronic neuropathic pain field where I use methods such as patch clamp electrophysiology and calcium imaging to investigate the regulatory function of plasma membrane cholesterol-rich microdomains on ion channel dynamics in nociceptive pathways associated with chronic neuropathic pain in human and mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons. We are one of the only labs in the US who have the opportunity to work with human DRGs and spinal cord from organ donors to enhance the translation of current advancements in the field of chronic pain.
I am very lucky to be at a university that values the unique experiences and perspectives of its diverse body, making individuals such as myself who identify as queer feel safe, seen, respected, and empowered to make a difference.