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Susan M. Quirk   -   Associate Professor

PhD from Cornell University  
Graduate fields:      Animal Science, Molecular and Integrative Physiology
 
Area(s) of interest:      ovarian physiology, molecular biology
 
Teaching: Professional Organizations:
  • Society for the Study of Reproduction (Secretary)

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Email: smq1@cornell.edu

Current Research:

Ovarian Physiology (More Information)

Studies focused on:

  1. Regulation of pathways for programmed cell death, or apoptosis, as a mechanism for follicular atresia.
  2. Interaction among pathways regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  3. Regulation of apoptosis during regression of the corpus luteum.
  4. Role of the hedgehog signaling pathway in ovarian development and function.
  5. Regulation of the ovarian surface epithelium.

Current funding:  National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Selected Recent Publications:

Ren Y, Cowan RG, Harman RM, Quirk SM. 2009. Dominant activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway in the ovary alters theca development and prevents ovulation. Mol Endocrinol [Rapid Electronic Publication Feb. 5, 2009 as doi:10.1210/me.2008-0391.

Russell, MC, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM, Walker, AL and Quirk, SM. 2007. The hedgehog signaling pathway in the mouse ovary. Biology of Reproduction 77:226-236.

Quirk, SM, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM. 2006. The susceptibility of granulosa cells to apoptosis is influenced by oestradiol and the cell cycle. Journal of Endocrinology 189:441-443.

Margalit, KA, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM, Quirk, SM. 2005. Apoptosis of bovine ovarian surface epithelial cells by Fas antigen/Fas ligand signaling. Reproduction 130:751-758.

Hu, C-L, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM, Quirk, SM. 2004. Cell cycle progression and activation of Akt kinase are required for IGF-mediated suppression of apoptosis in granulosa cells. Molecular Endocrinology 18: 326-338.

Quirk, SM, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM. 2004. Progesterone receptor and the cell cycle modulate apoptosis in granulosa cells. Endocrinology 145: 5033-5043.

Quirk, SM, Cowan, RG, Harman, RM, Hu, C-L, Porter, DA. 2004. Ovarian follicular growth and atresia: the relationship between cell proliferation and survival. J. Animal Science 82(E. Suppl.):E40-E52.