Cheryl Ann Blaha

Research Nurse Coordinator

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Interests: I have worked as a clinical research coordinator for over 7 years and my interest is in studying patients with cardiovascular diseases to better understand the physiological responses, mechanisms and pathways that alter the way these individuals respond to stress. My role is to educate and inform subjects about our research protocols and to assist the investigators in acquiring data in the clinical research setting while maintaining subject safety and comfort.

Rachel C. Drew

Post-doctoral research scholar

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Interests: Influence of muscle afferent feedback on baroreflex function in health and disease.

Michael D. Herr

Research and Development Engineer

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Interests: Research and development engineering for advancing clinical research in areas of, but not limited to, cardiovascular and exercise physiology. Projects employed and/or developed experience in the following:

1. Analog signal processing theory
2. Digital signal processing (software applications)
3. Analog and digital circuit design and fabrication
4. Systems integration for data acquisition
5. Specialized transducers
6. Design and fabrication of custom instrumentation and equipment (electronic and mechanical)
7. Research equipment modification and/or service life extension

Jian Lu

Post-doctoral research scholar

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Jessica Lynn Mast

Research Nurse Coordinator

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Interests: I am currently a Research Coordinator in my fourth year of nursing research at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. I assist in investigator driven physiology studies within the Cardiology research department. I provide a safe environment for the research subjects as well as ensure that informed consent is obtained. My focus is to ensure proper data collection while assisting with the clinical aspects of Cardiology research studies.

Todd Jeffrey Nicklas

Research Nurse Coordinator

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute

Interests: I am a Research Coordinator in my third year of nursing research at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. I assist in clinical trials and investigator initiated trials. My focus is to ensure proper data and a safe atmosphere in the context of compliant, well informed subjects. I assist with the regulatory and the clinical aspects of research studies, and I also assist investigators in protocol functions, in order to better understand underlying disease processes and physiological responses to stressors in the focus of cardiovascular function.

Katsuya Yamauchi

Post-doctoral research scholar

Department/Institute/Center(s): Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute