Dr. Lacy Alexander

Biography

Lacy Alexander is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Penn State College of Health and Human Development. Her research specializes in human cutaneous circulation, focusing on the underlying signaling mechanisms mediating microvascular dysfunction in diseases and the influence of drug interventions. She holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Penn State, an M.S. in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon, and a B.S. in Human Physiology General Science, also from the University of Oregon. Dr. Alexander's research interests include mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease, with particular attention to populations such as those with primary aged hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Her current projects involve studying the roles of arginase and nitric oxide synthase uncoupling, inflammation-induced changes in vasodilatory signaling, the impact of reactive oxygen species on vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling in hypertension, and the effects of common platelet inhibitors on microvascular function in human skin, which relate to mechanisms of skin blood flow and functional thermoregulatory outcomes.

Research Interests