Elisa M. Konieczko

 National Grants

Palumbo Trust Foundation Grant, requested $54,000 for a Revolve Microscope. other faculty author: Quyen Aoh. September 2018. Funded in part, for $25,000

Faculty Advisor and research lab mentor, Gannon University subaward, in collaboration with Penn State Behrend,  from the National  Aeronautic and Space Association/Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. Other faculty advisors: Wookwon Lee, H.Rick Diz, Hwidong Kim, Steve Frezza, Lin Zhao, and Qing Zheng, January 2014-December 2015, $20,000.

Co-PI, National Science Foundation Award HRD-1107015, Advance Grant, TRANSFORM:Teaching Research Advancement Network to Secure Female Faculty for Organizational Retention and Management.  Melanie L. Hatch, PI; other Co-PIs: Karinna M. Vernaza,Theresa M. Vitolo, Weslene T. Tallmadge, September 1, 2011-August 31, 2016,$385,919.

Palumbo Trust Foundation Grant The Palumbo Trust Foundation request for $100,000 in Molecular Biology Equipment. Sarah Ewing, Elisa M. Konieczko. March 2012, funded in part, $25,000.

Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, and Sigma Xi National Student Grants

Recipient of BBB Biological National Honor Society Grant, with Alyson Fuller, Gannon biology Major, Fall, 1998, funded in full (~$300)

Recipient of BBB Biological National Honor Society Grant, with Scott Lindsay, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2000, funded in full (~$500)

Recipient of Sigma Xi, the Research Society Grant, with Scott Lindsay, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2000, funded in full ($1000)

Recipient of BBB Biological National Honor Society Grant, with Matt Ruston, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2009, funded in full ($850)

Recipient of BBB Biological National Honor Society Grant, with Morgan Thompson, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2014, funded in full ($1329)

Recipient of BBB Biological National Honor Society Grant, with Jessie Milliken, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2014, funded in full ($1159) 

Recipient of Pennsylvania Academy of Science Grant, with Haley Martin, Gannon biology major, Spring 2023, funded in part ($700)

Recipient of Pennsylvania Academy of Science Grant, with Orion Haener, Gannon biology major. and Louisa Opp, Gannon science major, Spring 2025, funded in part ($600)

Internal Grants at Gannon University

Recipient of Faculty Development Award, Fall 1998; Fall 2000; Fall 2002; Fall 2004; Fall 2006;   Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2024

Recipient of Faculty Research Award, Spring 1999, Spring 2001, Spring 2003, Spring 2005, Spring 2011, Spring 2016, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2022 (partially funded), Spring 2024 (partially funded)

Duratz Student Research Grants and Gustafson Power Grants

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Andrew Carmisino, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2004, funded in full

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Kathryn Billig, Gannon biology Major, Spring 2008, partially funded

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Koreen Morgan, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2010, funded in full

 Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Jennifer Connell, Gannon biology Major, Fall 2011, funded in full

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Jacob Hunker, Gannon  biology Major, Spring 2016, funded in full

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Sabrina Williams, Gannon  biology Major, Spring 2018, partially funded

Recipient of Gustafson Power Grant, with Haley Martin, Gannon biology major, Fall 2022,funded in full ($800)

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Haley Martin, Gannon  biology Major, Spring 2022, partially funded ($183)

Recipient of Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grant, with Lina Windi, Gannon biology Major, Spring 2024, partially funded ($314)

Recipient of Gustafson Power Grant, with Mr. Orion Haener, Gannon biology major, Spring  2025, funded in full ($850)

Recipient of four Duratz Undergraduate Student Research Grants, with Orion Haener, Louisa  Opp, Kendyl Hostetlar, Ty Patterson, Spring 2025, partially funded ($230.64 awarded to  each student)

 Awards

Cooney Jackman Families Endowed Professor, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, 2025 - 2028

Recipient of Gannon University's Distinguished Faculty Award,  2017

Recipient of Gannon University’s Student Government Association Teacher of the Month Award, November 2003

Recipient of Gannon University Undergraduate Research Award for excellence in mentoring undergraduate students in research, Spring 2007

Recipient of Gannon University’s Excellence in Advising Award for the Mororsky College of Health Professions and Sciences, Spring 2012

Recepient, with Dr. Catherine Mattinson, of the Best Electronic Poster Award at the 2016 Center for Teaching and Learning Expo, January 2016

• Human Gross Anatomy (BIOL 365)
• Human Gross Anatomy laboratory (BIOL 366)
• Cell Biology (BIOL 375)
• Cell Biology laboratory (BIOL 376)
• HIstology (BIOL 320)
• Histology laboratory (BIOL 321)
• Mechanical and Biological Wonders of Panama [includes a Spring Break Trip to Panama] (ENG 201)
• Special Topics in Biology (BIOL 492)
• Animal Form and Function (BIOL 124)
• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 108)
• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology I lab (BIOL 109)
• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 110)
• Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology II lab (BIOL 111)
• Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 115)
• Anatomy and Physiology I lab (BIOL 116)
• Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 117)
• Anatomy and Physiology II laboratory (BIOL 118)
• Cell Culture and Theory (BIOL 493)

• Gannon University, B.S. in Biology, 1984
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Ph.D., Thesis Title: The Interaction of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus with Baby Hamster Kidney Cells and Rat Embryo Fibroblasts,  Thesis Advisor: Christopher C. Widnell, Ph.D.;  Department of Neurobiology, Anatomy, and Cell Science; Research area: Cell Biology; 1992

• Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of James D. Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D.
    March, 1992 - May, 1995
    Department of Cell Biology
    Yale School of Medicine
    333 Cedar Street
    New Haven, CT 06511
    Recipient of Anna Fuller Foundation Fellowship, 3/1992 to 3/1994

• Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of James M. Crawford, M.D., Ph.D.
    July, 1995 - December, 1996
    Department of Pathology
    Brigham and Women's Hospital

    January, 1997- July, 1997
    Department of Pathology
    Yale School of Medicine

• Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Gannon University, August 1997-July 2002

• Associate Professor, Biology Department, Gannon University, August 2002-2011
    Tenured, May 2004
    Director of Gannon’s “3 + 4" LECOM Accelerated Osteopathic Medical Program
     August 1998- June 2006
    Director of Gannon’s University Scholars Program
     August 2000-2003
    Director of Gannon’s “4 + 4" LECOM Medical Program
     September 2002- June 2006
    Director of Gannon’s Pre-Pharmacy Programs
     July 2004- June 2009
    Coordinator of Undergraduate Research
     September 2006 – June 2011
    Director, Biotechnology Program
     July 2008- June 2010

•  Professor, Biology Department, Gannon University, August 2011-

    Vice President, Faculty Senate, 2013-2014
    President, Faculty Senate, 2014-2015

• Cooney Jackman Families Endowed Professor, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, 2025 - 2028

• Faculty Mentoring Coordinator, January 2017 - May 2020

• American Society for Cell Biology; Education Committee, 2005-2012; Public Information Committee, 2013- 2017; Member, Honorific Awards Task Force, 2020 - 2022
• American Association of Anatomists, Public Policy Committee, 2005-2008, Anatomical Nomenclature Committee, 2012-2013
• Pennsylvania Academy of Sceinces, 2021 - 2022; 2023-

Donna L. Skelly, Elisa M. Konieczko & Jonathan Ulrich (2022): Rice bodies in a shoulder bursa: a cadaveric and histologic case report, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2022.2138153; https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10669817.2022.2138153

Lindley, L., Konieczko, E.M., Tallmadge, W., Lombard, E., and Vernaza K. 2019. Faculty Mentoring Expanded: Evaluation of the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices. The Chronicle of Mentoring and Coaching. 2, 516-518. Available to the public March 15, 2020.

DiSalle JN, Novak AL, Dalvi PS, Konieczko EM. A Teachable Moment: Identifying Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna in a Gross Anatomy Cadaver Laboratory. International Journal of Anatomical Variations. 2019;12(4): 40-44.

Anthony J Kanai, Elisa M Konieczko, Robert G Bennett, Simon G Royce. 2019. Relaxin and Fibrosis: Emerging Targets, Challenges, and Future Directions. Submitted to: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Vol. 487, 1 May 2019, pp. 66-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2019.02.005

Konieczko, E.M. and Mattinson, C.E. 2017. 80 Students, 5 Cadavers, and 2 Professors: Innovative Teaching Practices in an Undergraduate Human Gross Anatomy Course. Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. HAPS Educator. Vol. 21 (2): 95-100.

Mattionson, C.E. and Konieczko, E.M. 2017. A Method for Maximixing Dissection Experience with a Minimal Number of Cadavers in an Undergraduate Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory Course. Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. HAPS Educator. Vol. 21 (2): 43-48.

Konieczko, E.M. (Producer), Shaw, J. (Executive Producer), Weigert, R., (Director) and members of the Weigert Lab (Actors). (2016). Discovery Inside Living Cells in Multicellular   Organisms [Motion Picture]. United States of America: Celldance Studios 2016 Production;             https://vimeo.com/193753622/2824ddc8d7

Konieczko, E.M.  2016."Sharing Expertise through the MALT Program." ASCB Newsletter, November/December 2016 Issue, Vol 39, Number 8, pgs. 15-16.

Vitolo, T. M., Vernaza, K. M., Lindley, L., Konieczko, E. M., Tallmadge, W., and Sasi, S. 2016. Making Changes: Application of an NSF-ADVANCE PAID Grant to a Predominately Undergraduate Institution (PUI). [PDF] [Powerpoint slides]. Proceedings of the ASEE 123^rd Annual Conference & Exposition, June 26 – 29, New Orleans, LA. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).Peer Reviewed Publications:

Konieczko, E.M. "Education Minisymposium: Envisioning Educational Change in the Digital Age." 2014 Annual Meeting Highlights of the American Society for Cell Biology,  ASCB Newsletter, January-February 2015 Issue, pp. 14 - 15.

Elisa M. Konieczko and Catherine E. Mattinson. 2014-2016. Gannon University Human Gross Anatomy Lab Dissector. Gannon University Press (Erie, PA).

Vagula, Mary C. and Elisa M. Konieczko. 2012. “Lipid Peroxidation and Polybrominated Diphenyl  Ethers-A Toxicological Perspective.” Chapter 24 in Lipid Peroxidation. ISBN 980-953-143-0.  InTech (Rejeka, Croatia).

Karinna M. Vernaza and Elisa M. Konieczko. 2010. Better Learning through Collaboration and Assessment: Development of an Interdisciplinary Study Abroad Experience.  ASEE 2010 NC Sectional Conference Proceedings. Pittsburgh, PA, March 26-27, 2010.  www.asee-nc.org, and via CD.

Konieczko, E.M. 2009. Hello Old Friend, My How You’ve Changed.  CBE Life Sciences Education. Vol. 8:167-168.

Cooney TE, Konieczko EM, Roach L, Poole B. Fate of Mu Receptors During Rat Skeletogenesis. Orthopedics 32(2):95, February 2009. (Full article available online at http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=35999).

Cooney TE, Schober JM, Lubahn JD, Konieczko EM.  Relaxin's involvement in extracellular matrix homeostasis: two diverse lines of evidence.  Ann NY Acad Sci 1160: 329-35, 2009.

Lubahn J, Ivance D, Konieczko E, Cooney T. Immunohistochemical detection of relaxin binding to the volar oblique ligament. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2006 Jan;31(1):80-4.

Sasi S., Konieczko, E.M., Contrafatto I., and J.D. Maloney. 2003. Modeling of Catheter-based Ablation of the left atrial-pulmonary vein junction in human hearts. Proceedings of the International Conference on Mathematics and Engineering Techniques in Medicine and Biological Sciences (METMBS’03), June 23-26, 2003, Las Vegas, Nevada, F. Valafar and H. Valafar, Eds., CSREA Press, pp. 417-423.

Galey S.,  Konieczko E.M., Arnold C.A., and Cooney T. 2003. Immunohistological detection of relaxin binding to anterior cruciate ligaments. Orthopedics. 26:1201-1204.

Galey S., Lubahn J., Ivance D., Konieczko E., Arnold C., and Cooney T. 2001. Immunohistochemical detection of relaxin binding to ligaments of the thumb and knee. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Relaxin and Related Peptides, October 22-27, 2000 in Broome, Australia.  Jeffrey Tregear, Richard Ivell, Ross A. Bathgate, and John D. Wade, Eds, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, pp. 421-424.

Konieczko, E.M., and J. M. Crawford. 1999. Tropic effects of taurocholate on the bile secretory phenotype of WIF-B hepatoma cells. FALK Symposium 108: Bile Acids and Cholestasis. G. Paumgartner, A. Stiehl, W. Gerok, D. Keppler, U. Leuschner, Eds. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, pp.166-171.

Konieczko, E.M., A.K. Ralston, A.C. Crawford, S.J. Karpen, and J.M. Crawford. 1998. Enhanced Na+-dependent bile salt uptake by WIF-B cells, a rat hepatoma hybrid cell line, following growth in the presence of a physiological bile salt. Hepatology, 27 (1):191-199.

Valentijn, J.A., D. Sengupta, F.D. Gumkowski, L.H. Tang, E.M. Konieczko, and J.D. Jamieson. 1996. Rab3D localizes to secretory granules in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 70:33-41.

Konieczko, E.M., P.A. Whitaker-Dowling, and C.C. Widnell. 1994.  Membrane fusion as a determinant of the infectibility of cells by vesicular stomatitis virus. Virology. 199:200-211.

Jena, B.P., F.D. Gumkowski, E.M. Konieczko, G. Fischer von Mollard, R. Jahn, and J.D. Jamieson. 1994. Redistribution of a rab3-like GTP-binding protein from secretory granules to the Golgi complex in pancreatic acinar cells during regulated exocytosis.  J. Cell Biol. 124:43-53.  

Pasternak, C.A., J.E.J. Aiyathurai, V. Makinde, A. Davies, S.A. Baldwin, E.M. Konieczko, and C.C. Widnell. 1991. Regulation of glucose uptake by stressed cells. J. Cell Physiol. 149:324-331.

My current research project investigates the effect of alcohol on human skeletal muscle cells.

The use of alcohol in America is a commonly accepted social norm. Alcohol abuse is a common health concern that negatively affected a large percentage of the population for centuries. Excessive use of alcohol is correlated to a multitude of health risks. Despite the negative consequences, excessive use of alcohol is not only socially acceptable but is highly encouraged around the world. The current literature acknowledges that consistent use or even overuse of alcohol may lead to related health risks and complications.

The long-term goal is to understand the impact of alcohol and its associated complications on skeletal muscle function and health. To accomplish this goal, our current objective is to determine the impact of alcohol use on the structure and function of skeletal muscle at the cellular level. The central hypothesis is that high levels of alcohol will change the shape and function of male and female skeletal muscle cells, that is, what they look like and how they work. 

In addition, this project will examine the exercise on skeletal muscle cells that have been exposed to alcohol. The purpose of exercise is to improve an individual’s overall health and, in some cases, to improve performance (athletes). Little is known about the effects of alcohol consumption on exercise and skeletal muscle function. In humans, alcohol consumption suppresses the anabolic response in skeletal muscle, thus impairing recovery and training adaptations. What is currently unclear is how alcohol consumption differs in men and women, specifically how alcohol affects muscle growth and function.

The overall goal of this novel project is to elucidate the effect of alcohol on male vs female skeletal muscle cells and to determine the effects of an electrical pulse stimulation (i.e., in vitro exercise) on skeletal muscle cell structure and function.

Gannon University undergraduate students are directly involved in this research project and work on all aspects of the research project. Additonally, Dr. Nicholas Conklin, Physics Department, Gannon University is a collaborator, working to develop the apparatus to exercise (electronically stimulate) the cells.

Current external collaborators include Thrive Biosciences (Beverly MA), Dr. Gildardo Sanches Ante, Professor of Computer Science,School of Engineering and Sciences, Wester Region, Monterrey Technology Institute, Monterrey Mexico, and Dr. Kartik Balanchandran, Professor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineeringg at the Unversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

• Habitat for Humanity, Erie, PA Affiliate; Family Partnership committee (2019- present); Chair, Family Partnership Committee,(2020 - present); Family Selection Committee (2009- 2019) ; Chair, Family Selection Committee (2010 - 2013; 2015 - 2019); Board Member (2013 - 2019, 2025 -); Board Secretary (2015-2019), Board Vice President (2025-2026), incoming Board President (2026 -)
• Crime Victim Center, Erie PA, Board Member (2012-2015)

Relevant Service on Gannon University Committees

• Biology Department Search Committees, usually as a member, sometimes as the chair
• External Member of other Department Search Committees
• Member, Science, Engineering and Health Professions College Dean Search Committee
• Member, Morosky College Ranke and Tenure Committee
• Co-Chair, Morosky College Dean Search Committee
• Member, Provost Search Committee
• Member, Biology Department Gustafson Power Scholarship Committee
• Member, Biology Department Committee for the Departmental Position Statement
• Member, Biology Department Kohlmiller Scholarship Committee
• External Member, Physician Assistant ARC PA committee
• Member, Honors Program Advisory Committee
• Member, Honors Program Advisory Council
• Member, Provost’s Program Assessment Working Group (PAWG) as part of the University’s revision to the Liberal Studies Core
• Chair, Pre-Pharmacy Committee at Gannon University
• Member, Pre-Professional Health Programs Advisory Committee
• College of Science, Engineering and Health Professions Safety Committee, member and chair
• College of Science, Engineering and Health Professions Academic Affairs Committee, member and chair
• Member, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Grant committee
• Coordinator, Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Celebration (later known as Celebrate Gannon), 2004 – 2012
• Member, Faculty Senate, 2004-2007, Executive Committee member, 2007
• Faculty Senate Vice President, 2013-2014
• Faculty Senate President and voting member of the Gannon University Board of Trustees, 2014-2015
• Chair, Faculty Mentoring Advisory Committee
• Member of:
• University Liberal Studies Committee
• University Academic Affairs Committee
• University Restructuring Committee
• University Compensation Committee, (also chair)
• University Rank and Tenure Committee
• University Review Council
• University Budget Advisory Committee
• University Institutional Review Team
• University Faculty Research Committee (also chair)
• University Ruskin Campus Committee
• University FERPA training committee
• University E-Portfolio Conversion Committee
• University Electronic Grade Reporting Committee
• University Online Evaluation Committee
• University Pre-tenure Review Committee, ex-officio