Michael Wolek Email & Phone Number

A translational investigation of the pathophysiology and treatment of dry eye disease. More recently, we are searching for genetic risk factors for dry eye disease in humans.

Currently heading two projects, one in the Dept of Cardiology and one in the Dept of Ophthalmology. In cardiology, we began a quality improvement initiative to both increase the number of and streamline the process of cardiac rehab referrals at Stony Brook. With the department of ophthalmology, we are performing a retrospective analysis to understand the mechanism behind metformin's preventative association in the setting of age-related macular degeneration.

Stony Brook, New York, United States

Worked to coordinate stat/urgent referrals and lab results between family medicine physicians and subspecialty groups.

Recently, I joined a project in the Economics Department working with Dr. Trevor O'Grady to understand the moral foundations behind what economists call "other-regarding behavior".

My research at TCNJ is in the Department of Biology with Dr. Donald Lovett. We are currently using the green crab Carcinus meanus as a model for studying the crab punitive hormone methyl farnesoate (MF) and its potential relationship with osmoregulation. Elevated blood levels of MF have been detected in crabs in response to osmoregulatory stress. Currently, we are using RT-qPCR to study changes in MF levels in response to changes in salinity by measuring gene expression of the last hormone in the MF biosynthetic pathway, farntesoic acid O-methyltransferase (FAOMeT).

Ewing, Nj

-Briefed executives on the system of auditing and services in the specialty pharmacy industry-Constructed an employee evaluation manual to streamline a client's operations

Middletown, Ny

-Tested pool and spa water for chemical balance and pathogens/foreign organisms.-Heavily involved in customer service and retail.

Greater Memphis Area

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Richard Krwacki and his lab in the Department of Structural Biology. The program was an eleven-week, 40 hours per week internship. In the Kriwacki lab, I studied the molecular mechanism underlying liquid-liquid phase separation in the granular component of the nucleolus. Using two abundant nucleolar proteins often upregulated in certain cancers, Nucleophosmin (NPM1) and Surfeit locus protein 6 (Surf6), we showed the importance of multivalent electrostatic interactions to form phase separated droplets between the proteins in vitro. Utilizing microscopic techniques, we proposed a novel interaction of the C-terminal nucleic acid binding domain of NPM1 to modulate self valency through autoinhibition of its acidic residues.

Ewing, Nj

Eight-week, 40 hours per week research program examining gene expression in green crabs during osmoregulation. Responsible for maintaining crabs, establishing experimental conditions, and conducting all analyses. Coauthored a poster for research results presented at TCNJ Summer Research Symposium

Doctor Of Medicine - Md

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.) Biology; Public Health & Economics Minor, Biology, General

Activities and Societies: Biology and Economics Research, Tri Beta, TCNJ Jazz Band, Healthcare Consulting, Club Tennis, Campus Catholic.