Dr. Alastair Ferguson

Biography

Alastair V. Ferguson is a Professor at Queen's University, focusing on interdisciplinary Neuroscience research. His work primarily investigates the role of the central nervous system in autonomic processing, with particular emphasis on understanding changes in brain function associated with hypertension and obesity. The research program directed by Ferguson aims to understand central autonomic control centers that maintain critical variables essential for normal physiological function, including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure, sodium, potassium, and calcium. His studies utilize multidisciplinary approaches and various tools, ultimately providing potential targets for understanding alterations in brain function that contribute to the development of autonomic diseases. Ferguson's research emphasizes the integration and overlap between separate autonomic systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, and metabolic functions, as mediated by autonomic control centers in the CNS. He has contributed significantly to the literature with a focus on the intricate circuitry of diverse chemical transmitters that govern physiological systems.

Research Interests