Luca Cucullo, Ph.D.

Professor in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies
Interim Co-Chair for the Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Luca CuculloDr. Cucullo joined Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in September of 2020 as a professor in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies. Dr. Cucullo received his Doctoral degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology) from the University of Pisa, School of Pharmacy, in 2000. He then continued his education engaging in a postdoctoral training at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in the Dept. of Neurosurgery/Cerebrovascular Research Center where he began specializing in in vitro cerebrovascular modeling with emphasis on CNS vascular pathophysiology.

Prior to joining OUWB, Dr. Cucullo held the position of associate professor and Vice-Chair for Research at Texas Tech University HTC in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. During his tenure as TTUHSC faculty, Dr. Cucullo built a strong research portfolio currently funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the FDA, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Contact Information:
Office: 415 O’Dowd Hall
Phone: (248) 370-3884
Email: lcucullo@oakland.edu

Specialties:
In vitro neurovascular modeling, toxicology, pharmacology, cerebrovascular disorders

Education:
Postdoctoral training: Neuropharmacology and Vascular Modeling, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Ph.D., Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology/Biotech, University of Pisa

Research Interests:
Dr. Cucullo research interests are largely focused on translational neuroscience and comprise the following: 

  • Environmental and cellular modulation of blood-brain barrier functions and drug resistance
  • In vitro modeling of the human cerebrovascular system with the scope of facilitating the development and testing of novel CNS drugs as well as brain microvascular toxicological testing of xenobiotics. Dr. Cucullo is directing his research effort toward the development of microfluidic systems incorporating all the biological features of the DIV-BBB into a high throughput platform suitable for primary and translational research.
  • Rheological and pro-inflammatory changes in ischemia, stroke and TBI, and their role in the pathogenesis of secondary brain injury and neuroinflammation
  • Pathophysiology of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette toxicity at the neurovascular unit. The study encompasses both identifications of potential prodromal factors for the pathogenesis and progression of cerebrovascular impairment and brain disorders as well as potential countermeasures. These include antioxidant treatments and promoters of the innate antioxidative response system.

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/luca.cucullo.1/bibliography/45281829/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending.