selected publications academic article Merkus, D., Muller-Delp, J., & Heaps, C. L. (2021). Coronary microvascular adaptations distal to epicardial artery stenosis. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 320(6), H2351-H2370. Johnson, K., Bray, J., & Heaps, C. (2021). Exercise Training Rescues Impaired H 2 O 2 ‐Mediated Vasodilation in Collateral‐Dependent Coronary Arterioles Through Enhanced K + Channel Activation. The FASEB Journal. 35(S1), Self, T. S., Ginn-Hedman, A., Newell-Fugate, A. E., Weeks, B. R., & Heaps, C. L. (2021). Iodine-based contrast staining improves micro-computed tomography of atherosclerotic coronary arteries. MethodsX. 8, 101297-101297. Self, T. S., Ginn-Hedman, A., Kaulfus, C. N., Newell-Fugate, A. E., Weeks, B. R., & Heaps, C. L. (2020). Iodine-enhanced micro-computed tomography of atherosclerotic plaque morphology complements conventional histology. Atherosclerosis. 313, 43-49. Heaps, C. L., Bray, J. F., & Parker, J. L. (2020). Enhanced KCl-mediated contractility and Ca2+ sensitization in porcine collateral-dependent coronary arteries persist after exercise training. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 319(4), H915-H926. Johnson, K. A., Ramirez, C. R., Bray, J. F., & Heaps, C. L. (2020). Exercise Training Restores K + Channel Contributions to Hydrogen Peroxide‐Mediated Dilation Independent of PKG Dimerization in Collateral‐Dependent Coronary Arterioles. The FASEB Journal. 34(S1), 1-1. Orzabal, M. R., Lunde-Young, E. R., Ramirez, J. I., Howe, S., Naik, V. D., Lee, J., ... Ramadoss, J. (2019). Chronic exposure to e-cig aerosols during early development causes vascular dysfunction and offspring growth deficits. Transl Res. 207, 70-82. Yu, X., Stallone, J. N., Heaps, C. L., & Han, G. (2018). The activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor induces relaxation via cAMP as well as potentiates contraction via EGFR transactivation in porcine coronary arteries. PLoS One. 13(1), e0191418-e0191418. Yu, X., Zhang, Q., Zhao, Y., Schwarz, B. J., Stallone, J. N., Heaps, C. L., & Han, G. (2017). Activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 induces coronary artery relaxation via Epac/Rap1-mediated inhibition of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in parallel with PKA. PLoS One. 12(3), e0173085-e0173085. Dongaonkar, R. M., Nguyen, T. L., Quick, C. M., Heaps, C. L., Hardy, J., Laine, G. A., Wilson, E., & Stewart, R. H. (2015). Mesenteric lymphatic vessels adapt to mesenteric venous hypertension by becoming weaker pumps. AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology. 308(5), R391-R399. Zheng, X., Heaps, C. L., & Fisher, S. A. (2015). Myosin phosphatase isoforms and related transcripts in the pig coronary circulation and effects of exercise and chronic occlusion. Microvasc Res. 98, 166-171. Robles, J. C., & Heaps, C. L. (2015). Adaptations of the endothelin system after exercise training in a porcine model of ischemic heart disease. Microcirculation. 22(1), 68-78. Heaps, C. L., Robles, J. C., Sarin, V., Mattox, M. L., & Parker, J. L. (2014). Exercise training-induced adaptations in mediators of sustained endothelium-dependent coronary artery relaxation in a porcine model of ischemic heart disease. Microcirculation. 21(5), 388-400. Meininger, C., Stees, M., Kelly, K., Heaps, C., Wu, G., & Labhasetwar, V. (2014). Orally‐delivered, tetrahydrobiopterin‐containing nanoparticles targeting gastrointestinal lymphatics modulate nitric oxide synthesis by aortic endothelial cells (666.4). The FASEB Journal. 28(S1), Deer, R. R., & Heaps, C. L. (2013). Exercise training enhances multiple mechanisms of relaxation in coronary arteries from ischemic hearts. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 305(9), H1321-H1331. Li, F., Yu, X., Szynkarski, C. K., Meng, C., Zhou, B., Barhoumi, R., ... Han, G. (2013). Correction: Activation of GPER Induces Differentiation and Inhibition of Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation. PLoS One. 8(7), 10.1371/annotation/ce509358-9f5c-4a8c-9b0d-80. Li, F., Yu, X., Szynkarski, C. K., Meng, C., Zhou, B., Barhoumi, R., ... Han, G. (2013). Activation of GPER Induces Differentiation and Inhibition of Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation. PLoS One. 8(6), e64771-e64771. Xie, W., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2013). Exercise training-enhanced, endothelium-dependent dilation mediated by altered regulation of BK(Ca) channels in collateral-dependent porcine coronary arterioles. Microcirculation. 20(2), 170-182. Xie, W., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2012). Effect of exercise training on nitric oxide and superoxide/HO signaling pathways in collateral-dependent porcine coronary arterioles. J Appl Physiol (1985). 112(9), 1546-1555. Robles, J. C., & Heaps, C. (2012). CaM Kinase II and Ca2+ sensitization mediate enhanced KCl constriction in collateral‐dependent coronary arteries of both sedentary and exercise‐trained pigs. The FASEB Journal. 26(S1), 1055.15-1055.15. Sarin, V., Muthuchamy, M., & Heaps, C. L. (2011). Ca sensitization of cardiac myofilament proteins contributes to exercise training-enhanced myocardial function in a porcine model of chronic occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 301(4), H1579-H1587. Heaps, C. L., & Parker, J. L. (2011). Effects of exercise training on coronary collateralization and control of collateral resistance. J Appl Physiol (1985). 111(2), 587-598. Robles, J. C., Sturek, M., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2011). Ca2+ sensitization and PKC contribute to exercise training-enhanced contractility in porcine collateral-dependent coronary arteries. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 300(4), H1201-H1209. Wu, X., Chakraborty, S., Heaps, C. L., Davis, M. J., Meininger, G. A., & Muthuchamy, M. (2011). Fibronectin increases the force production of mouse papillary muscles via 51 integrin. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 50(1), 203-213. Zhou, M., Widmer, R. J., Xie, W., Jimmy Widmer, A., Miller, M. W., Schroeder, F., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2010). Effects of exercise training on cellular mechanisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulation in coronary arteries after chronic occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 298(6), H1857-H1869. Fogarty, J. A., Delp, M. D., Muller-Delp, J. M., Laine, G. A., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2009). Neuropilin-1 is essential for enhanced VEGF(165)-mediated vasodilatation in collateral-dependent coronary arterioles of exercise-trained pigs. J Vasc Res. 46(2), 152-161. Heaps, C. L., Jeffery, E. C., Laine, G. A., Price, E. M., & Bowles, D. K. (2008). Effects of exercise training and hypercholesterolemia on adenosine activation of voltage-dependent K+ channels in coronary arterioles. J Appl Physiol (1985). 105(6), 1761-1771. Forough, R., Miller, M. W., Mattox, M., Dunlap, W., Ambrus, A., Barhoumi, R., Heaps, C. L., & Parker, J. L. (2008). Enhanced myocardial vascularity and contractility by novel FGF-1 transgene in a porcine model of chronic coronary occlusion. Journal of Tehran University Heart Center. 3(4), 197-204. Wu, G., Collins, J. K., Perkins-Veazie, P., Siddiq, M., Dolan, K. D., Kelly, K. A., Heaps, C. L., & Meininger, C. J. (2007). Dietary supplementation with watermelon pomace juice enhances arginine availability and ameliorates the metabolic syndrome in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J Nutr. 137(12), 2680-2685. Steelman, S., & Heaps, C. (2007). Protein kinase C contributes to enhanced calcium sensitivity in coronary arteries from hypercholesterolemic swine. The FASEB Journal. 21(6), a1227-a1227. Bruce, S. M., & Heaps, C. (2006). Enhanced protein kinase C contribution to agonist‐mediated contraction in coronary arteries from hypercholesterolemic swine. The FASEB Journal. 20(5), a1399-a1399. Heaps, C. L., Mattox, M. L., Kelly, K. A., Meininger, C. J., & Parker, J. L. (2006). Exercise training increases basal tone in arterioles distal to chronic coronary occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 290(3), H1128-H1135. Korzick, D. H., Muller-Delp, J. M., Dougherty, P., Heaps, C. L., Bowles, D. K., & Krick, K. K. (2005). Exaggerated coronary vasoreactivity to endothelin-1 in aged rats: role of protein kinase C. Cardiovasc Res. 66(2), 384-392. Heaps, C. L., Tharp, D. L., & Bowles, D. K. (2005). Hypercholesterolemia abolishes voltage-dependent K+ channel contribution to adenosine-mediated relaxation in porcine coronary arterioles. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 288(2), H568-H576. Bowles, D. K., Maddali, K. K., Ganjam, V. K., Rubin, L. J., Tharp, D. L., Turk, J. R., & Heaps, C. L. (2004). Endogenous testosterone increases L-type Ca2+ channel expression in porcine coronary smooth muscle. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 287(5), H2091-H2098. Heaps, C. L., Parker, J. L., Sturek, M., & Bowles, D. K. (2004). Altered calcium sensitivity contributes to enhanced contractility of collateral-dependent coronary arteries. J Appl Physiol (1985). 97(1), 310-316. Bowles, D. K., Heaps, C. L., Turk, J. R., Maddali, K. K., & Price, E. M. (2004). Hypercholesterolemia inhibits L-type calcium current in coronary macro-, not microcirculation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 96(6), 2240-2248. Heaps, C. L., & Bowles, D. K. (2002). Nonuniform changes in arteriolar myogenic tone within skeletal muscle following hindlimb unweighting. J Appl Physiol (1985). 92(3), 1145-1151. Heaps, C. L., & Bowles, D. K. (2002). Gender-specific K(+)-channel contribution to adenosine-induced relaxation in coronary arterioles. J Appl Physiol (1985). 92(2), 550-558. Jones, J. J., Dietz, N. J., Heaps, C. L., Parker, J. L., & Sturek, M. (2001). Calcium buffering in coronary smooth muscle after chronic occlusion and exercise training. Cardiovasc Res. 51(2), 359-367. Heaps, C. L., Sturek, M., Price, E. M., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2001). Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake is impaired in coronary smooth muscle distal to coronary occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 281(1), H223-H231. Heaps, C. L., Sturek, M., Price, E. M., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2001). Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake is impaired in coronary smooth muscle distal to coronary occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 281(1), H223-H231. Heaps, C. L., Bowles, D. K., Sturek, M., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2000). Enhanced L-type Ca2+ channel current density in coronary smooth muscle of exercise-trained pigs is compensated to limit myoplasmic free Ca2+ accumulation. J Physiol. 528(3), 435-445. Heaps, C. L., Bowles, D. K., Sturek, M., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2000). Enhanced L-type Ca2+ channel current density in coronary smooth muscle of exercise-trained pigs is compensated to limit myoplasmic free Ca2+ accumulation. J Physiol. 528(Pt 3), 435-445. Heaps, C. L., Sturek, M., Rapps, J. A., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2000). Exercise training restores adenosine-induced relaxation in coronary arteries distal to chronic occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 278(6), H1984-H1992. Heaps, C. L., Sturek, M., Rapps, J. A., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (2000). Exercise training restores adenosine-induced relaxation in coronary arteries distal to chronic occlusion. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 278(6), H1984-H1992. Heaps, C. L., Rapps, J. A., Zhong, Q., Sturek, M., Laughlin, M. H., & Parker, J. L. (1997). Effects of exercise training on smooth muscle relaxation and myoplasmic free Ca 2+ (Ca m) responses of coronary arteries distal to chronic occlusion. The FASEB Journal. 11(3), Heaps, C. L., Fischer, M. D., & Hill, R. C. (1997). Female acceleration tolerance: effects of menstrual state and physical condition. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 68(6), 525-530. Webb, J. T., Fischer, M. D., Heaps, C. L., & Pilmanis, A. A. (1996). Exercise-enhanced preoxygenation increases protection from decompression sickness. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 67(7), 618-624. Heaps, C. L., & Constable, S. H. (1995). Physiological responses of rhesus monkeys to exercise at varied temperatures. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 66(2), 137-142. Heaps, C. L., Gonzlez-Alonso, J., & Coyle, E. F. (1994). Hypohydration causes cardiovascular drift without reducing blood volume. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 15(2), 74-79. Heaps, C. L., & Constable, S. H. (1993). The Metabolic and Thermoregulatory Responses of Rhesus Monkeys to Combined Exercise and Environmental Heat Load Gonzlez-Alonso, J., Heaps, C. L., & Coyle, E. F. (1992). Rehydration after exercise with common beverages and water. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 13(5), 399-406. conference paper Heaps, C. L., Bray, J. F., McIntosh, A. L., & Schroeder, F. (2019). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein distribution and nitric oxide production in endothelial cells along the coronary vascular tree. Microvasc Res. 34-40. Dongaonkar, R. M., Nguyen, T. L., Quick, C. M., Laine, G. A., Wilson, E., Heaps, C., Hardy, J., & Stewart, R. H. (2013). Postnodal lymphatic vessels adapt to sustained high flow conditions by becoming weaker pumps. The FASEB Journal. 902.5-902.5. Muthuchamy, M., Chakraborty, S., Wu, X., Sarin, V., & Heaps, C. L. (2012). Exercise-Induced Changes in Mechanotransduction Improve Myocardial Function in a Porcine Model of Chronic Occlusion. Circulation. Li, F., Wang, G., Zhou, B., White, R., Heaps, C., Stallone, J., & Han, G. (2012). Activation of G‐protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) inhibits coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation. The FASEB Journal. 663.9-663.9. Robles, J. C., Mattox, M. L., Parker, J. L., & Heaps, C. L. (2010). Exercise Training Enhances PKC-Mediated Ca2+ Sensitization in Collateral-Dependent Porcine Coronary Arteries. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. E304-E304.
principal investigator on Exercise Training-Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species as Protective Mechanisms in the Coronary Microcirculation awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2018 - 2022 Exercise-induced reactive oxidants as microvascular protective mechanisms awarded by National Institutes of Health - (Bethesda, Maryland, United States) 2015 - 2017
teaching activities BIMS491 Research Instructor VTPP285 Directed Studies Instructor VTPP485 Directed Studies Instructor VTPP485 Hnr-directed Studies Instructor VTPP491 Hnr-research Instructor VTPP655 Vascular Physiology Instructor VTPP685 Directed Studies Instructor VTPP691 Research Instructor
chaired theses and dissertations Boone, Stephanie Rose (2017-12). Commonly Used Intra-Articular Medications Affect Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth and Viability.
education and training Ph.D. in Physiology, University of Missouri - (Columbia, Missouri, United States) 1999
awards and honors Partners in Learning Award of Excellence, conferred by Texas A&M University - (College Station, Texas, United States), 2016
mailing address Texas A&M University Vet Med - Physiology & Pharmacology 4466 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-4466 USA