Kirk Dineley, PhD
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Program:
Molecular Pharmacology
Graduated:
11/2002
Mentor:
Ian J. Reynolds
Thesis:
An Investigation of the Neurotoxic Properties of Zinc
Previous Institutions Attended:
Pennsylvania State University, BS in Biology and Vertebrate Physiology with Distinction
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I am currently an Assistant Professor of Biology. I teach undergraduate physiology and general biology at Francis Marion University, a smaller university with a strong liberal arts philosophy of education.
Fellowships, Awards, Promotions:
Doctoral Dissertation with Honors, University of Pittsburgh Department of Molecular Pharmacology
2002 Marian Kies Memorial Award for exceptional thesis work
in the neurosciences, American Society of Neurochemistry
American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellow (1999-01)
Recent Publications:
Devinney, M.J. Reynolds, I.J., Dineley, K.E. (2005) Simultaneous detection of intracellular free calcium and zinc using fura-2FF and FluoZin-3. Cell Calcium. 37: 225-32.
Dineley, K.E., Richards, L.L., Votyakova, T.V., Reynolds, I.J. (2005) Zn2+ causes loss of membrane potential and alters production of reactive oxygen species in isolated brain mitochondria. Mitochondrion. 5(1):55-65.
Dineley, K.E., Zeak, J.A., Devinney, M.J., Reynolds, I.J. (2004) Simultaneous detection of intracellular free zinc and free calcium during glutamate stimulation of cultured forebrain neurons. Soc Neurosci Abstr 30.
Publications while a graduate student at Pitt:
Dineley, K.E., Malaiyandi, L.M., Reynolds, I.J. (2002). A re-evaluation of neuronal zinc measurements: artifacts associated with high intracellular dye concentration. Molecular Pharmacology 62(3):618-627.
Dineley, K.E., Votyakova, T.V., Reynolds, I.J. (2003) Zinc inhibition of cellular energy production: implications for mitochondria and neurodegeneration. Journal of Neurochemistry. 85(3):563-570.
Dineley, K.E., Brocard, J.B., Reynolds, I.J. (2002) Elevated intracellular zinc and altered proton homeostasis in forebrain neurons. Neuroscience 114(2):439-449.
What did you find to be personally rewarding in the work you did while here at Pitt or in the work in which you are currently involved?
I've found that intellectual freedom is the most rewarding aspect of an academic environment. And I think this is true at all levels- whether graduate student, post doc, or faculty. I am very thankful that my career rewards me for learning.
What were some of the most positive and surprising things about living in Pittsburgh? What did you expect of the city how was it different from your expectations?
As a native of the Pittsburgh area, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised by too many new things. That said, I did gain an appreciation for-and now miss very much!- the multicultural atmosphere of Oakland- With Pitt, CMU, UPMC, and other institutions of learning, Pittsburgh is an impressively intellectual and learned community.
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