Robin Looft-Wilson

Ken Kambis Professor

Office: Adair Hall 404
Phone: 757-221-2784
Email: [[rlooft]]
Research Web Page: {{http://www.wm.edu:/as/kinesiology/research/lab-pages/vascular-physiology, Vascular Physiology}}

{{https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=xn9TYaUAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&gmla=AJsN-F5otsNIZNEdW9hx9s6pGB4N0rt4rXMyEtx7EMnQh46OmubXIcGsjDgsQyxPBre4PpQBXhD2vXRkT7-j9GSLQbJ7rySfly5TFdeqxWT_n5FFsmmfh2d81OESjiF5Y6FG0VKHsQLw, Google Scholar Profile}}

Areas of Specialization

Cardiovascular Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Environmental Physiology

Background

Professor Looft-Wilson has spent her research career trying to understand how the cardiovascular system adapts and changes to the stressors of modern life. This has included examining human cardiovascular adjustments to simulated microgravity while at NASA-Ames Research Center and while training at University of California at Davis, and specifically studying artery function in simulated microgravity and under sympathetic nerve and flow changes while training at University of Iowa and Yale University School of Medicine. Since her arrival at Wiliam & Mary in 2004, Prof. Looft-Wilson, along with undergraduate researchers, has been studying artery structural and functional changes in response to aging, hyperhomocysteinemia, flow, and sympathetic nerve stimulation, as well as examining sex differences in vascular function. Currently, the lab is studying changes in artery function with endurance exercise training.

Education

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine 2003-2004 (Mentor: William C. Sessa, Ph.D.)
Post-Doctoral Fellow, John B. Pierce Laboratory and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine 2001-2003 (Mentor: Steven S. Segal, Ph.D.)
Ph.D., University of Iowa, Physiology and Biophysics 2000 (Mentor: Carl V. Gisolfi, Ph.D.)
M.S., University of California, Davis, Exercise Science 1992
B.S., University of California, Davis, Physical Education 1988

Courses Taught

Human Physiology (HHP 320)
Cardiovascular Physiology (HHP 411)
Physiology of Aging (HHP 414)
Physiology of Obesity (HHP 420)
Neurophysiology of Aging (KINE 401)
Eating: Nutrition, Digestion, Appetite (KINE 100)
Physiology Journal Club (KINE 461)
Independent Study (HHP 470)
Research: Physiology (HHP 480)
Honors (HHP 495, 496)

Research

Looft-Wilson, R.C. Genetically diverse UM-HET3 mice offer advantages over standard inbred C57BL/6 mice in vascular studies. Am. J. Physiol.-Heart Circ. Physiol. 330:H720-H721, 2026. [Invited Editorial]
Looft-Wilson, R.C., S. Naraynan, K. Salmon, E. Wunibald, B. Simmons, C. Haitz, V. Shah and M. Xu. Vasomotor responses are similar between outbred UM-HET3 and inbred C57BL/6J male and female mouse mesenteric resistance arteries. Frontiers in Physiology 16:1692618, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1692618
R. C. Looft-Wilson, J. K. Stechmann, K. G. Milenski, V. M. Shah, P. G. Kulkarni, A. B. Arif, T. Guiot, N. M. C. Beinlich, C. C. Dos Santos, and S. K. Rice. Myoendothelial feedback in mouse mesenteric resistance arteries is similar between the sexes, dependent on nitric oxide synthase, and independent of TPRV4. Am. J. Physiol.-Heart Circ. Physiol. 326:H190-H202, 2024.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., J.E. Billig, and W.C. Sessa. Shear stress attenuates inward remodeling in cultured mouse thoracodorsal arteries in an eNOS-dependent, but non-hemodynamic manner, and increases Cx37 expression. Journal of Vascular Research 56:284-295, 2019
Looft-Wilson, R.C., S.E. Todd, K.M. Berberich, and M.R. Wolfert. Flow Does Not Increase eNOS Phosphoryation at Ser1179 in Pre-constricted Mouse Mesenteric Arteries. Physiological Reports 6:e13864, 2018
Biwer, L., M. Good, K. Hong, R. Patel, N. Agrawal, R. Looft-Wilson, S. Sonkusare, and B. Isakson. Non-endoplasmic reticulum based calreticulin can coordinate heterocellular calcium signaling and vascular function. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 38:120-130, 2018.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., C. R. Goodell, C.A. Araj, S.M. Mutchler, K.L. Miller, and M. Guraya. Increased myoendothelial feedback is associated with increased connexin37 and IK1 expression in mesenteric arteries of diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemic mice. Microcirculation, 24(8), 2017. doi: 10.1111/micc.12398.
Jacot, J.L., R.C. Looft-Wilson, N. Yousefieh, F.A. Lattanzio, and A. Hosseini. The Vasoproliferative phase in the oxygen-induced rat model of retinopathy of prematurity exhibits concomitant increased expression of VEGF₁₆₄ and phosphorylation of eNOS at serine ¹¹⁷⁹. Journal of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 1:12-20, 2017.
Looft-Wilson RC, Todd SE, Araj CA, Mutchler SM, Goodell CA. Alpha(1)-adrenergic-mediated eNOS phosphorylation in intact arteries. Vascular Pharmacology, 58:112-117, 2013.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., M. Billaud, S.R. Johnstone, A.C. Straub, and B.E. Isakson. Interaction between nitric oxide signaling and gap junctions: Effects on vascular function. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1818:1895-902, 2012.
Billaud, M., A.W. Lohman, A.C. Straub, R Looft-Wilson, S.R. Johnstone, C.A. Araj, A.K. Best, F. Chekeni, K. Ravichandran, S. Penuela, D.W. Laird, B.E. Isakson. Pannexin1 regulates a1-adrnergic receptor-mediated vasoconstriction. Circulation Research, 109: 80-85, 2011.
Straub AC, Billaud M, Johnstone SR, Best AK, Yemen S, Dwyer ST, Looft-Wilson R, Lysiak JJ, Gaston B, Palmer L, Isakson BE. Compartmentalized Connexin 43 S-Nitrosylation/Denitrosylation Regulates Heterocellular Communication in the Vessel Wall. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 31:399-407, 2011.
Heberlein, K., Straub, A.C., Best, A.K., Greyson, M.A., Looft-Wilson, R.C., Sharma, P.R., Meher, A., Leitinger, N., Isakson, B.E. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Regulates Myoendothelial Junction Formation. Circulation Research 106:1092-1102, 2010.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., B.S. Ashley, J.E. Billig, M.R. Wolfert, L.A. Ambrecht, and S.E. Bearden. Chronic diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia impairs eNOS regulation in mouse mesenteric arteries. Am. J. Physiol., 295:R59-66, 2008.
Bearden, S.E., E.S. Linn, B.S. Ashley, and R.C. Looft-Wilson. Age-related changes in conducted vasodilation: effects of exercise training and role in functional hyperemia. Am. J. Physiol. 293:R1717-1721, 2007.
Atochin, D.N., A. Wang, V.W. Liu, J.D. Critchlow, A.P. Dantas, R. Looft-Wilson, T. Murata, S. Salomone, H.K. Shin, C. Ayata, M.A. Moskowitz, T. Michel, W.C. Sessa, and P.L. Huang. The phosphorylation state of eNOS modulates vascular reactivity and outcome of cerbral ischemia in vivo. J. Clin. Invest. 117:1961-1967, 2007.
Carroll, R.G., M.L. Matyas, A.E. Atwater, V. Doze, R. Faircloth, P. Finkenstadt, B. Goodman, E.J. Henriksen, B. Horwitz, R. Looft-Wilson, B. Madsen, J. Mody, N. Pelaez, T.A. Pressley. APS undergraduate brainstorming report. Adv Physiol Educ. 4:380-6, 2007.
Bauer, P.M., J. Yu, Y. Chen, R. Hickey, P.N. Bernatchez, R. Looft-Wilson, Y. Huang, F. Giordano, R.V. Stan, and W.C. Sessa. Endothelial-specific expression of caveolin-1 impairs microvascular permeability and angiogenesis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 102: 204-209, 2005.
Looft-Wilson, R.C.*, G.W. Payne*, and S.S. Segal. Connexin expression and conducted vasodilation along arteriolar endothelium in mouse skeletal muscle. J. Applied Physiol., 97: 1152-1158, 2004. * these authors contributed equally.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., S.J. Haug, P.D. Neufer, and S.S. Segal. Independence of connexin expression and conduction from sympathetic innervation in hamster microvessels. Microcirculation, 11: 397-408, 2004.
Sandow, S.L.*, R.C. Looft-Wilson*, B. Doran, T.H. Grayson, S.S. Segal, and C.E. Hill. Expression of homocellular and heterocellular gap junctions in hamster arterioles and feed arteries. Cardiovasc. Res. 60: 643-653, 2003. * these authors contributed equally.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., J.R. Falck, U. Murali Krishna, and C.V. Gisolfi. Antagonists of the 20-HETE pathway inhibit rat small mesenteric artery tone. Microvasc. Res. 64: 349-352, 2002.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., and C.V. Gisolfi. Peripheral vascular responses to heat stress after hindlimb suspension. Med Sci. Sports Exerc. 34: 1120-1125, 2002.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., and C.V. Gisolfi. Rat small mesenteric artery function after hindlimb suspension. J. Appl. Physiol. 88: 1199-1206, 2000.
Looft-Wilson, R.C., R.D. Matthes, and C.V. Gisolfi. Heat acclimation does not alter rat mesenteric artery response to norepinephrine. J. Appl. Physiol. 86: 536-540, 1999.
McKenzie, M.A., J.E. Greenleaf, R. Looft-Wilson, and P.R. Barnes. Leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, and plasma osmolality during rest and exercise: an hypothesis. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 50: 259-273, 1999.
Greenleaf, J.E., R. Looft-Wilson, J.L. Wisherd, C.G. Jackson, P.P. Fung, A.C. Ertl, P.R. Barnes, C.D. Jensen, and J.H. Whittam. Hypervolemia in men from fluid ingestion at rest and during exercise. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 69: 374-386, 1998.
Greenleaf, J.E., R. Looft-Wilson, J.L. Wisherd, M.A. McKenzie, C.D. Jensen, and J.H. Whittam. Pre-exercise hypervolemia and cycle ergometer endurance in men. Biol. Sport 14: 103-114, 1997.
Greenleaf, J.E., D.P. Gundo, D.E. Watenpaugh, G.M. Mulenburg, N. Marchman, R. Looft-Wilson, and A.R. Hargens. Cycle-powered short radius (1.9M) centrifuge: exercise vs. passive acceleration. J. Gravit. Physiol. 3: 61-62, 1996.
Greenleaf, J.E., T. Hutchinson, M. Schaffer-Bailey, and R. Looft-Wilson. Exercise thermoregulation after 6 h of chair rest, 6-degree head-down bed-rest, and water immersion deconditioning in men. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 72: 303-309, 1996.

External Fellowships and Grants

AREA Grant, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, (2021-2025): Role: P.I., “Mechanisms of arterial myoendothelial feedback: regulation of eNOS and role of connexins”, $256,588
Commonwealth Health Research Board (2012-2013): Co-investigator (P.I. Alireza Hosseini, Eastern Virginia Medical School), “Role of Nitric Oxide and Cytokines in the Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity“, $133,000
NIH-AREA Grant, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2010-2014): Role: P.I., "Regulation of eNOS by shear stress in intact arteries", $207,369
American Heart Association, Beginning Grant-in-Aid (2007-2009): Role: P.I., "Regulation of eNOS in Hyperhomocysteinemia", $132,000
NIH-AREA Grant, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2006-2010): Role: P.I., "Vascular Cell-to-Cell Communication during Remodeling", $210,200
Jeffress Memorial Trust Foundation Grant (2005-2006): Role: P.I., "Vascular Cell-to-Cell Communication in Hyperhomocysteinemia", $40,000

Service

Retention, Promotion, and Tenure Committee (2021-2024; co-chair 2023-2024)
Neuroscience Program Director (2015-2020)
Chair, Committee on faculty Awards, Professorships, and Prizes (2015-2016)
Committee on Faculty Awards, Professorships, and Prizes (2014-2015)
Chair Thomas Jefferson Prize in Natural Philosophy Selection Committee (2013)
Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2012-2015)
Associate Director Neuroscience (2012-2015)
Advisory board member, summer grant reviewer, and external mentor. STRIDE Grant awarded to the American Physiological Society [provides fellowships and mentoring for underrepresented undergraduate students] (2012-2020)
Advisory board member, summer grant reviewer, and external mentor. NIH STEP-UP Grant awarded to the American Physiological Society [provides fellowships and mentoring for underrepresented undergraduate students] (2012-2017)
Grant Reviewer for National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Vascular and Hematology Special Emphasis Panel (2011-2012, 2015)
Institutional Biosafety Committee (2009-2015)
Grant reviewer for the American Heart Association, Blood Pressure and Vascular Biology Study Section (2008-2010)
Faculty Research Committee (2009, 2020, 2020-2023)
Grant reviewer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (2007)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2006-2011)
Education Committee, American Physiological Society (2005-2008)

Honors, Prizes, and Awards

Plumeri Award for Faculty Excellence at William & Mary (2014-16)
Research Career Enhancement Award, American Physiological Society (2011)
Dean's Distinguished Lecturer (2011-2012)
Coco Faculty Fellow (2011-2012)
William & Mary Alumni Fellowship Award for excellence in teaching (2009)
Gatorade Young Investigator Award, American Physiological Society (1999)