James We Rush

Biography

Dr. James Rush is dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and a professor of physiology. He completed his PhD with distinction at the State University of New York Heath Center at Syracuse in 1998 before pursuing post-doctoral work at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He joined the Department of Kinesiology at Waterloo in 2000. Recognized for his strong leadership, Rush has held numerous administrative positions within the Faculty including associate dean graduate studies and research, and chair of the Department of Kinesiology.

Research Interest

Dr. James WE Rush cardiovascular research interests relate to regulation of blood vessel function and the signaling pathways in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells that control this function. In particular, I am interested in the effects of hypertension, age, and exercise on blood vessel health. Our recent work has focused on discovering regulatory influences on endothelium derived contracting factors, and on the effects of the red wine polyphenol resveratrol on vascular function. The ultimate goal of this research is to explain the mechanisms by which vascular function can be improved to prevent disease and the preserve cardiovascular health.