Karen Ocorr, Ph.D. working as Assistant Professor, Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Neuroscience and Aging Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. His education B.A. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, Biology; Ph.D. Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, Neuroscience NIMH; Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, Neuroscience NIMH; Postdoctoral Fellow - Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, Neurochemistry.2015 - 2020 NIH R01 HL132241-01A1: Using Drosophila genetics to identify molecular links between ion channel dysfunction and pathological cardiac remodeling.

The Ocorr Lab is investigating the cellular and molecular basis of adult heart function and cardiomyopathies using the genetic model system Drosophila. We use functional, electrophysiological, biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques that allow us to examine the roles of genes and gene products in cardiac channelopathies and stress-related cardiomyopathies. Our lab pioneered the development of a novel methodology (Semi-automatic Optical Heartbeat Analysis, SOHA) that permits the quantification of heartbeat parameters in model systems with small hearts. Using this system we have identified several ion channels in the fly heart that play prominent roles in repolarization of the human heart and cause arrhythmia in both the fly and in humans when mutated. We also have developed a number of other disease models including a diabetic-like cardiomyopathy induced by high sugar diet and hypoxia-induced cardiomyopathy. Recently we have begun collaborations with NASA (by winning a Space Florida International Space Station Research Competition). We are using the fly to uncover the molecular/cellular basis for cardiac and muscle atrophy in astronauts exposed to extended periods of microgravity despite extensive exercise regimes aboard the ISS. Our flies were launched aboard SpaceX 3 for a month-long exposure to micro-gravity.