Mary C. Vagula

Vagula, M.C. 2017, 'President's Award for Excellence in Technology', first place for implementing innovative technology in teaching, Gannon University.

Vagula, M.C. 2016, ‘Sam Drogo Award’ for implementing innovative technology in classroom teaching. Awarded by Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), a national society of anatomy and physiology professors, and AD Instruments, an international company that produces data acquisition and analysis systems for the life sciences industry.

Vagula, M.C. 2015, 'Faculty Scholarship Award’ from Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), a national society of anatomy and physiology professors.

Vagula, M.C. 2014, ‘Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award’, Gannon University, Erie, PA.

Vagula, M.C. 2013, ‘Certificate of Appreciation’, Gannon University, Erie, PA  for integrating service-learning into my teaching.

Vagula, M.C. 2008-2015, Faculty Scholarship and Research Recognition Certificate, Received each year from 2008-2015, Gannon University, Erie, PA.

Vagula, M.C. 1st Rank in M.Sc., GPA 4.0/4.0, Zoology, Osmania University, AP, India.

Coursera certificates earned in the following courses:

1. Course title -The addicted Brain, awarded by Emory University, November 2019.
2. Course title - Diabetes - a Global Challenge, awarded by University of Copenhagen, December 2019.
3. Course title- Global Health: An Interdisciplinary overview awarded by University of Geneva, May 2020.
4. Course title- Biohacking your brain’s health, awarded by Emory University, April 2020.
5. Course title- Organ donation-from death to life awarded by University of Cape Town, 2021.

• Human Physiology (BIOL 368)
• Human Physiology Lab (BIOL 369)
• Cell Biochemistry (BIOL 373)
• Cell Biochemistry Lab (BIOL 374)
• Animal Form and Function (BIOL 124)
• Animal Form and Function Lab (BIOL 125)
• Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIOL 122)
• Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab (BIOL 123)
• Introductory Microbiology (BIOL 106)
• Introductory Microbiology Lab (BIOL 107)
• Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 108)
• Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (BIOL 109)
• Human Biology (BIOL 104)

B.S.  Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.
  Major: Biology
  GPA: 3.73/4.0

M.S.  Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
  Major: Zoology
  Specialization: Physiology
  GPA: 4.0/4.0

Ph.D. Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
  Area of Research: Physiological Toxicology

Member or past member of the following professional societies:

• American Physiological Society (APS)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS)
• Society of Toxicology (SOT)
• Genetic Toxicology Association (GTA)
• Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers,(SPIE) (Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring)
• Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS)
• National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
• American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Books:

• Vagula, M.C. Laboratory Exercises in Physiology, 5th edition, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc, Buford, GA, 2016.
• Vagula, M.C. Laboratory Exercises in Physiology, 4th edition, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc, Buford, GA, 2015.
• Vagula, M.C. Laboratory Exercises in Physiology, 3rd edition, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc., Buford, GA, 2012.
• Vagula, M.C. Experiments in Physiology, 2nd edition, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc., Buford, GA, 2010.
• Vagula, M.C. A Laboratory Manual for Experimental Biochemistry, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc., Buford, GA, 2010.
• Vagula, M.C. Experiments in Physiology, LAD Custom Publishing, Inc., Buford, GA, 2009.

Book Chapter

• Vagula, M.C and Konieczko, E. (2012).  "Lipid Peroxidation and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: A Toxicological Perspective." Chapter 24 in a book titled "Lipid Peroxidation" ISBN 980-953-307-143-0. InTech, Croatia.

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications:

• Vagula, M.C. (2022). VO₂max and other factors in the classification of athletes. Accepted for publication in Journal of Applied Physiology
• Vagula, M.C. (2021). Osteoporosis in elite cyclists and treatment options. J Appl Physiol,131: 29–33, 2021
• Liu. H. and Vagula, M.C. (2021). Cardiovascular changes in human diving reflex based on student-collected data in a physiology lab course. HAPS Educator, 25:(1) 45-50, 2021
• Vagula, M.C. (2020). Influence of menstrual cycle phases on vascular control studies in women. J Appl Physiol,129: 1122–1135, 2020
• Vagula, M.C. (2020). The effects of nicotine pH changes on its bioavailability and impact on the lungs. J Appl Physiol,128: 1059–1062, 2020
• Vagula, MC. (2019). Body’s best tools to cure obesity and diabetes. 2019. https://www.coursera.org/learn/diabetes/peer/9sO6w/peer-review/Hk6kBh-gEeqxbQ7DCdJc6Q. Review report of an article.
• Vagula, M.C. and Liu, H. (2018). Teaching acid-base homeostasis using collaborative, problem-based learning and human patient simulators in a physiology laboratory. HAPS Educator, 22:176-180.
• Vagula, M.C. (2018). On the upper limit of oxygen uptake and cardiorespiratory fitness. J Appl Physiol, 125: 239-240, 2018; doi:10.1152/jappliphysiol.00319.2018.
• Nelatury, S.R. and Vagula, M.C. (2018). Factors affecting the curvature constant of power-time hyperbola. J Appl Physiol, 124:529-535,2018; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01064.
• Liu, H. and Vagula, MC. (2017). Observation of student behaviors of watching online tutorial videos and strategies to increase engagement. HAPS Educator, 128-130, 21 (2) 2017.
• Vagula, M.C. (2016). Decompression sickness in breath-hold divers. J Appl Physiol,120:1478-1482, 2016; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00242.2016.
• Vagula, M.C. and Liu, H. (2016). Enhancing the learning experiences of undergraduate students through pre-recorded video lectures. HAPS Educator, 20:45-48. doi: 10.21692/haps.2016.010
• Liu H, and Vagula M.C. (2016). A modified protocol of salivary cortisol determination to optimize undergraduate laboratory learning experiences. HAPS Educator 20: 49-51. doi: 10.21692/haps.2016.011
• Vagula, M.C., Liu, H., and McCarthy, M. (2015). Teaching cardiopulmonary physiology with clinical correlation using human patient simulators to upper level undergraduate students. HAPS Educator, 19(3) 39-45.
• Liu, H. and Vagula, M.C. (2015). An Undergraduate Physiology Laboratory Module of Salivary Cortisol Measurement with an Emphasis on Circadian Rhythmicity and Quantitative Analysis. HAPS Educator, 19(3) 22-25.
• Kainer Y., Schmidt, N.D., Anderson, A., Jones, W.,   McMahon,K., Olubadewo, J., Perrotti,B., Vagula, M..C.,  Williams, D., and Yoshida, G. (2015). Instructor’s Liability for Student Injuries in the Lab: Are We Covered? A Report by the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) Safety Committee. HAPS Educator, 19(3) 31-34.
• Vagula, M.C. (2015). Type 2 diabetes mellitus and epigenetics. (2015) http://www.whatisepigenetics.com/type-2-diabetes-mellitus-and-epigenetics/
• Vagula, V.M. (2014). Significance of long-term studies in resistance training and muscle hypertrophy. In press, Journal of Applied Physiology.
• Mastro, M., Caputo, J., and Vagula,M.C. (2014). Cognitive imapirment and dementia in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. US Pharm. 2014;39(10):33-37.
• Nelatury, S.R., Nelatury, C.F., and Vagula,M.C. (2014) Parameter estimation in different enzyme reactions. Advances in Enzyme Research, 2, 14-26. doi: 10.4236/aer.2014.21002.
• Altaher, Morrison, A., Mastro, A., Vagula, M.C. (2014). Mapping the incidence pattern of some ailments and autoimmune diseases among young adults using GIS. HAPS Educator, 18(3) 23-25.
• Vagula,M.C.(2014). Innovations in instructional technology to enhance learning experiences of upper level biology students
  HAPS Educator, 18(3) 29.
• Harkless,R., Muntather Al-Quraishi, and Vagula, M.C. (2014). Radiation Hazards of Radio Frequency Waves on the Early Embryonic Development of Zebrafish. 2014. Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, and Environmental Monitoring IV. Proc. of SPIE Vol. 9112, 91121E, SPIE. DOI: 10.1117/12.2053469.
• Nelatury, S. R and Vagula, M.C. (2014). Simulation Studies in Biochemical Signaling and Enzyme Reactions. Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, and Environmental Monitoring IV, edited by Šárka O. Southern, Mark A. Mentzer, Isaac Rodriguez-Chavez, Virginia E. Wotring, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 9112, 91121D • © 2014 SPIE. DOI: 10.1117/12.2053197.
• Vagula, M.C. (2014) Regulation of Local Blood Flow. J Appl. Physiol 116:706-709, 2014; doi 10.1152/japplphysiol.01360.
• Vagula, M.C., and Nelatury, S.R. (2013). Stiffness and hysteresis of tendons. J Appl Physiol. 2013 Feb 15;114(4):518-20
• Vagula, M.C., Mastro A., and David L. Wessel. (2013) Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes in Adolescents. US Pharm. 38(10)(Diabetes suppl):7-10.
• Vagula,M.C., Rawding R.S (2012). Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Asthma and the Role of Airway Smooth Muscle. epublished in Journal of Applied Physiology and can be accessed at http://jap.physiology.org/content/early/2012/04/12/japplphysiol.00483.2012/reply#jap_el_38153
• Vagula, M.C., Nelatury, C.F (2012). Nuances in the Physiological Responses during Hypobaric Hypoxia and Normobaric Hypoxia. Journal  Applied Physiology 112, 1794; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00356
• Vagula, M.C., Vartak, M and Tallmadge, W. (2012). GC-MS analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the Lake Erie.  Published in the proceedings of SPIE, Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring II; Proc. of SPIE Vol. 8371, 83711G 1-6 • © 2012 SPIE
• Vagula, M.C., Rawding, R (2012). Epigenetic Factors and ACE Gene I/D Polymorphism in Endurance Physiology.  Journal of Applied Physiology 112: 1084–1085.
• Vagula, M.C., Nelatury C.F. (2011). Physiological adaptations and optimal control in birds which fly at high altitudes. Journal  Applied Physiology 111:1520-1524. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01117.2011
• Vagula, M.C., Kubeldis N., Nelatury C.F. (2011) Effects of BDE- 85 on the Oxidative Status and Nerve Conduction in Rodents. International journal of toxicology 30(4) 428-434.
• Vagula M.C, Kubeldis N., Nelatury, C.F. (2011) Environmental Monitoring of brominated flame retardants. Published in the proceedings of Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring; and Biometric Technology for Human Identification VIII, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 8029, 80291J • © 2011 SPIE • CCC code: 0277-786X/11/$18 • doi: 10.1117/12.887127
• Vagula M.C. (2011) The express need for accurately measuring physical activity. Journal of Applied Physiology. 111:(2) 608; 011.   Doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00650.2011
• Vagula, M.C., Nelatury, C.F. (2010). Another voice in support of cool thinking (on "Humans do/do not demonstrate selective brain cooling during hyperthermia."). Published in the Journal of Applied Physiology February 2011, 110:575-580. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01375.2010
• Vagula, M.C. (2010).  Additional factors influencing marathon times. Epublished in Journal of Applied Physiology. http://jap.physiology.org/content/early/2010/08/05/japplphysiol.00563.2010.abstract/reply#jap_el_6568
• Turner, R.B., Vagula, M.C., Devi,S.S.(2009) “Osteoporosis: an understated complication of diabetes,”  US Pharmacist. Vol. 34 No. 5 (Diabetes and Pharmaceutical care): pp.14-16, 2009.
• Vagula, M. C. & Devi, S.S. (2008). Hepatotoxicity of Antidiabetic Drugs. US  Pharmacist (Diabetes suppl) 33(5), 3-9.

Selected Presentations (Oral and Posters) at Regional Conferences:

• Nelatury, C.F., Vagula, M.C., and Nelatury, S.R., “Estimation of enzyme parameters using MATLAB program,” Presented at the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Celebration, Gannon University, April 2009.
• Nelatury, C. F., Kubeldis, N., & Vagula, M.C. (2009). In Vitro Studies on the Conduction Velocity in Rat Sciatic Nerve following Exposure to Penta BDE and Deca BDE. Poster presented on November 5th at 5th Annual Research Symposium, Regional Science Consortium, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie, PA.
• Reynolds, J., Nelatury, C. F., & Vagula, M.C. (2009). Alterations in Glucose Absorption across the Small Intestines of Rats Exposed to Penta and Deca brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Presented on November 5th at 5th Annual Research Symposium, Regional Science Consortium, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie, PA.
• Kubeldis, N.R., Nelatury, C.F., Reynolds, J., & Vagula, M.C. (2010). Invitro Studies in Glucose Absorption across the Small Intestine and Conduction Velocity in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats following Exposure to Penta- and Deca-brominated diphenyl ether. Presented on April 17th at 31st Annual Western PA Biology Symposium, Geneva College. PA.
• Kubeldis, N., Nelatury, C.F. and Vagula, M.C. (2011) Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in BDE-85 Treated Mice. Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference, April 16th 2011.
• Kubeldis, N., Nelatury, C.F. and Vagula, M.C. (2011) BDE-209 Induced Alterations in the Oxidative Status of Mice Tissues. Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference, April 16th 2011.
• Moore, J and Vagula M. C.(2011) BDE-85 induced toxicity in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells. Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference, April 16th 2011.
• Moore J and Vagula M. C. (2011) Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of BDE-209 in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells. Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment Conference, April 16th 2011.
• Raeouf, A. and Vagula, M.C. (2016) Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on the Heat Shock Protein Profile of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. Presented a poster at Tri-Beta Northeast-3 District Conference, held at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA on April 9, 2016.
• Moku, V. and Vagula, M.C.(2016) Toxicity of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. Presented a poster at Tri Beta Northeast-3 District Convention, April 9th, Latrobe, PA.

Published Absracts / Poster  Presentations  at National Conferences:

• Raeouf, A. and Vagula, M.C. (2016) Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on the Heat Shock Protein Profile of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. Presented at BBB National Convention held at St. Paul, MN. She received Frank Brooks Award for Excellence in Student Research, Third Place.
• Liu, H. and Vagula, M.C. (2016) A modified protocol of salivary cortisol determination to optimize undergraduate laboratory learning experiences. Presented a poster at Human Anatomy and Physiology annual conference held in Atlanta GA in May 2016.
• Vagula, M.C**. and Liu, He**. (2015). Teaching cardiopulmonary physiology with clinical correlation using human patient simulators to upper level undergraduate students. Presented a poster at HAPS Annual Conference in San Antonio Texas on May 25th 2015.
• Altaher, W., Morrison, A., Mastro, A., and Vagula, M.C.** (2014). Mapping the incidence pattern of some ailments and autoimmune disease among young adults from PA, USA using GIS. Page 40. A poster was presented in HAPS 28th annual conference in Jacksonville, May 24-28, 2014 (HAPS-Human Anatomy and Physiology Society).
• Vagula, M.C.** (2014). Innovations in instructional technology to enhance learning experiences of upper level biology students. A poster was presented in HAPS 28th annual conference in Jacksonville, May 24-28, 2014 (HAPS-Human Anatomy and Physiology Society).
• Nelatury, S.R.** and Vagula, M.C. (2014). Simulation studies in biochemical signaling and enzyme reactions. A poster presented in the SPIE conference in a session on “Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, and Environmental Monitoring IV” in May 6th. 2014
• Vagula, M.C**., Al-Dhumani, A., Al-Dhumani, S and Mastro. A. (2013). The toxic effects of flame retardants: The gene expression study in elucidating their carcinogenicity. Presented in 2013 SPIE conference, Baltimore, Maryland, April 30th 2013.
• Vagula, M. C**. and Harkless, R. (2013). The health hazards of cellphone radiation and the zebrafish as a model in this study. Presented in 2013 SPIE conference, Baltimore, Maryland, April 30th 2013.
• Mastro, A*, Vagula, M.C., Al-Dhumani*, Al-Dhumani. S*, and Hartnett, J. (2013). A report on the incidence pattern of some ailments and autoimmune diseases among young adults from Erie, PA. Presented in Experimental Biology -2013 conference held in Boston, MA, April 2013.
• Liu, Y. **, Vagula, M.C., and Frezza, S. ** (2012).  Integrating Game Design and Development into Undergraduate Biology Education. Presented at Frontiers in engineering Education 2012. October 3-6, 2012, Seattle, Washington.
• Vagula, M.C. **, Vartak, M. & Tallmadge, W. (2012). GC-MS analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the Lake Erie, Poster presented at SPIE, Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring II; 23-27 April 2012, Baltimore, Maryland.
• Liu, Y**., Vagula, M., Weifang Xu & Tao Ding. (2012). Gene Expression Games: A Case Study of the Integration between Game Programming and Bioinformatics Education. OP18, May 15-17,Great Lakes Bioinformatics Conference-2012 in University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
• Liu, Y. **, Vagula, M.C., and Frezza, S. ** (2012).  Integrating Game Design and Development into Undergraduate Biology Education. Presented at Frontiers in engineering Education 2012. October 3-6, 2012, Seattle, Washington.
• Vagula, M.C. **, Vartak, M. & Tallmadge, W. (2012). GC-MS analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the Lake Erie, Poster presented at SPIE, Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring II; 23-27 April 2012, Baltimore, Maryland.
• Liu, Y**., Vagula, M., Weifang Xu & Tao Ding. (2012). Gene Expression Games: A Case Study of the Integration between Game Programming and Bioinformatics Education. OP18, May 15-17,Great Lakes Bioinformatics Conference-2012 in University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
• Kubeldis, N.R*, Nelatury, C.F, and Vagula, M.C. ** (2011). Neurological and biochemical toxic profile of BDE-85. Experimental Biology- 2011, April 9th - 13th, Washington D.C.
• Kubeldis, N.R*, Nelatury, C.F, and Vagula, M.C. ** (2011). In vitro and in vivo toxicity studies of BDE-209. Experimental Biology- 2011, April 9th - 13th, Washington D.C.
• Vagula, M.C**., Kubeldis, N.R, & Nelatury, C.F. (2011). Environmental Monitoring of brominated flame retardants. SPIE Conference: “Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring”, April 26th 2011, Florida.

Ever since I joined my Masters program I particularly became interested in physiology and biochemical processes of the body. During that time, in the city where I grew, environmental pollution was a serious concern. After graduating my MS (with a GPA 4.0/4.0 and as the valedictorian), I joined my professor of physiology, Dr. S.L.N. Reddy, to work on toxic effects of lead on the physiological and biochemical processes of fresh water fish. I did an extensive research on the toxicity of lead and published several research papers. Later I continued my lead toxicity work on mice in the same laboratory. After coming to Gannon University, Erie, PA, I began teaching Physiology, Biochemistry and related courses. Also I wanted to resume my research in toxicology and physiology. The growing concern arising from the toxicological role of certain materials used as fire retardants like PBDEs caught my attention. I began my work in this area and mentored students in this research project.  I first started the toxicological work on PBDEs by observing the influence of PBDEs on the sciatic nerve conduction velocity and intestinal absorption of glucose in rats. Later the work was extended to study the oxidative damage caused by these compounds.  Oxidative damage is responsible for slow degeneration of the nervous system and body. This damage is also responsible for aging and age associated diseases. My next phase of research will focus on cell cycle regulating gene expression following PBDE exposure in human cells.

• Member, Pre-tenure Review Committee, 2022- present
• Member, Rank, Tenure and Academic Freedom Committee, 2018-2021
• Chair, Animal Use Committee, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, 2017- present
• Member, Curricum and Instruction Committee, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, 2014-present
• Member, Animal Use Committee, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, 2014-2017
• Member, Interprofessional Development, 2014-2015, Gannon University, Erie, PA.
• Member, Affirmative Action Committee, 2014-present, Gannon University,Erie, PA.
• Member, College Academic Affair Committee 2011-2014, Gannon University, Erie, PA.
• Member,  Student Success Committee, 2011-2014, Gannon University, Erie, PA.
• Member, Middle States Self Study Report Working Group- Standard 14
• Member, Safety Committee, 2011-present
• Member, Library Committee Member 2008-2011