Michael Tift, PhD
Assistant Professor & Director of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
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Originally from Ohio, I received a B.S. and M.S. from Sonoma State University where I conducted research with Dr. Dan Crocker on several different aspects of physiology in deep-diving northern elephant seals. I then went on to Scripps Institution of Oceanography to earn my Ph.D. working with Dr. Paul Ponganis and Dr. Jerry Kooyman studying hypoxia tolerance and carbon monoxide (CO) production in deep-diving mammals. My postdoctoral training was at University of California San Diego School of Medicine with Dr. Tatum Simonson and focused on the investigation of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) production in a high-altitude human population in Peru.
My current research interests lie mainly in the comparative physiology of vertebrates. Recently, my lab has focused on the role of gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide). Considered by many to be strictly toxic, these gases are now known to be naturally produced in the body and are being used in clinical studies to treat many diseases and injuries associated with hypoxia and ischemia-reperfusion events. We are teaming up with several different groups (see list of Collaborators below) to understand the functional and evolutionary role of these gases in helping certain populations of animals and humans tolerate hypoxia and ischemia-reperfusion events.
We have also recently begun investigating the brain lymphatic system in wild animals. It was less than 20 years ago that we believed the central nervous system had no physical structures associated with the lymphatic system. Shown to be present in humans, rodents, and non-human primates, the newly discovered glymphatic system (named for its tie to glial cells) in the brain has changed how we view brain physiology and health. Despite the importance of this system, we know nothing about this system in wild animals. Our lab is investigating the diversity and function of this system in a wide variety of mammals.
Assistant Professor & Director of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program
ResearchGate Profile Google Scholar Profile UNCW Profile
Originally from Ohio, I received a B.S. and M.S. from Sonoma State University where I conducted research with Dr. Dan Crocker on several different aspects of physiology in deep-diving northern elephant seals. I then went on to Scripps Institution of Oceanography to earn my Ph.D. working with Dr. Paul Ponganis and Dr. Jerry Kooyman studying hypoxia tolerance and carbon monoxide (CO) production in deep-diving mammals. My postdoctoral training was at University of California San Diego School of Medicine with Dr. Tatum Simonson and focused on the investigation of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) production in a high-altitude human population in Peru.
My current research interests lie mainly in the comparative physiology of vertebrates. Recently, my lab has focused on the role of gasotransmitters (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide). Considered by many to be strictly toxic, these gases are now known to be naturally produced in the body and are being used in clinical studies to treat many diseases and injuries associated with hypoxia and ischemia-reperfusion events. We are teaming up with several different groups (see list of Collaborators below) to understand the functional and evolutionary role of these gases in helping certain populations of animals and humans tolerate hypoxia and ischemia-reperfusion events.
We have also recently begun investigating the brain lymphatic system in wild animals. It was less than 20 years ago that we believed the central nervous system had no physical structures associated with the lymphatic system. Shown to be present in humans, rodents, and non-human primates, the newly discovered glymphatic system (named for its tie to glial cells) in the brain has changed how we view brain physiology and health. Despite the importance of this system, we know nothing about this system in wild animals. Our lab is investigating the diversity and function of this system in a wide variety of mammals.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Tiffany Keenan, PhD
Tiffany has over ten years of experience working with stranded marine mammals – first as an undergraduate volunteer in the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, and then as a master’s and PhD student in the lab of Ann Pabst and William McLellan. Tiffany now serves as the new Stranding Coordinator for UNCW’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program. Currently, Tiffany’s research focuses on the anatomy of the central nervous system lymphatic structure of marine mammals. The brain’s glial-lymphatic system (AKA glymphatic system) is a waste clearance system that facilitates the removal of toxic proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. The glymphatic system also plays a critical role in nutrient delivery, fluid regulation, and brain immunity. Interestingly, glymphatic clearance mainly occurs during sleep, and is highly suppressed during wakefulness, and in certain disease states associated with low oxygen (i.e., hypoxia). This system is also highly sensitive to events associated with immersion in water, such as diving. Human studies have indicated that impaired glymphatic function contributes to pathology in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Therefore, the brain lymphatic system of marine mammals, who experience these conditions on routine dives, may be highly susceptible to alterations in function, or even damage. Expanding our knowledge of the brain lymphatic system of mammalian divers is critical to the evaluation of pathobiology and could lead to new strategies to improve central nervous system health.
Tiffany has over ten years of experience working with stranded marine mammals – first as an undergraduate volunteer in the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, and then as a master’s and PhD student in the lab of Ann Pabst and William McLellan. Tiffany now serves as the new Stranding Coordinator for UNCW’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program. Currently, Tiffany’s research focuses on the anatomy of the central nervous system lymphatic structure of marine mammals. The brain’s glial-lymphatic system (AKA glymphatic system) is a waste clearance system that facilitates the removal of toxic proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. The glymphatic system also plays a critical role in nutrient delivery, fluid regulation, and brain immunity. Interestingly, glymphatic clearance mainly occurs during sleep, and is highly suppressed during wakefulness, and in certain disease states associated with low oxygen (i.e., hypoxia). This system is also highly sensitive to events associated with immersion in water, such as diving. Human studies have indicated that impaired glymphatic function contributes to pathology in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. Therefore, the brain lymphatic system of marine mammals, who experience these conditions on routine dives, may be highly susceptible to alterations in function, or even damage. Expanding our knowledge of the brain lymphatic system of mammalian divers is critical to the evaluation of pathobiology and could lead to new strategies to improve central nervous system health.
Current Graduate Students
Alicia Cotoia - Ph.D. Student
I graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with a B.S. in Biology in Spring 2019. During that time, I gained research experience by studying the molecular and cellular effects of nutraceuticals on gastric cancer, with a specialized focus on hypoxic pathways. I also interned in Mystic Aquarium's research department, where I assisted in determining molecular markers of the immune response in belugas. Now as a doctoral student in the Tift Lab, I am researching the role of lipid peroxidation in endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) production. The goal of this research is to determine if lipid peroxidation, induced by oxidative stress, is a mechanism to regulate the production of endogenous gases. Further, we aim to elucidate the role of these endogenous gases, such as CO, as cytoprotective for certain hypoxia-tolerant species.
Olivia Jackson - M.S. Student
I graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Biology and Chemistry in Summer 2017. Prior to joining the Tift Lab, I gained research experience studying glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and its role on drug reward and mood disorders and worked on a number of studies pertaining to human health, resilience, and performance in the context of extreme environments. Broadly, I am interested in neurophysiology and neuroprotection in extreme environments, with a specific interest in breath-hold divers. As a graduate student in the Tift Lab, I will be studying the newly discovered brain lymphatic system in several marine mammal species. With this work, I hope to improve our overall understanding of the brain lymphatic system and neuroprotection in marine mammals and humans operating in extreme environments.
Olivia Jackson - M.S. Student
I graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Biology and Chemistry in Summer 2017. Prior to joining the Tift Lab, I gained research experience studying glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and its role on drug reward and mood disorders and worked on a number of studies pertaining to human health, resilience, and performance in the context of extreme environments. Broadly, I am interested in neurophysiology and neuroprotection in extreme environments, with a specific interest in breath-hold divers. As a graduate student in the Tift Lab, I will be studying the newly discovered brain lymphatic system in several marine mammal species. With this work, I hope to improve our overall understanding of the brain lymphatic system and neuroprotection in marine mammals and humans operating in extreme environments.
Kristi Mitchell - M.S. Student
I am a former intelligence analyst in the United States Marine Corps, and recently graduated with a B.S. from UNCW. I have been working in the Tift lab since Fall of 2019. I am now pursuing my Masters degree in Marine Biology in the Tift Lab focusing on the role of endogenous carbon monoxide in hypoxia tolerance of mammals. I recently started working with naked mole rats, one of the most extreme hypoxia-tolerant mammals. I hope that my efforts may someday aid in our understanding of the physiology of deep diving marine mammals, as well as potentially assisting in the conservation of marine species.
I am a former intelligence analyst in the United States Marine Corps, and recently graduated with a B.S. from UNCW. I have been working in the Tift lab since Fall of 2019. I am now pursuing my Masters degree in Marine Biology in the Tift Lab focusing on the role of endogenous carbon monoxide in hypoxia tolerance of mammals. I recently started working with naked mole rats, one of the most extreme hypoxia-tolerant mammals. I hope that my efforts may someday aid in our understanding of the physiology of deep diving marine mammals, as well as potentially assisting in the conservation of marine species.
Anna Pearson - Ph.D. Student
I graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a B.S. in biology and minors in chemistry and Spanish in Spring 2019. I joined the Tift lab the following fall. Broadly, I am interested in studying how animals are successful in their environments primarily by understanding underlying physiological mechanisms. I have specific interests in diving physiology and hypoxia tolerance. For my thesis, I will be attempting to quantify the lifespan of red blood cells in marine mammals. The goal of this research will be to clarify the role of red blood cell lifespan on endogenous carbon monoxide stores and to understand the role of body size on red blood cell lifespan. These will be the first reported measurements of red blood cell lifespan in a marine mammal.
Sofia Rivadeneyra - M.S. Student
Sofia is joining the Tift Lab in Fall 2022 as a Fulbright Fellow from Peru. For the last decade, Sofia has been working as a Research Scientist at the Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE), studying the ecology of pinnipeds, cetaceans, and seabirds along the Peruvian coast and in Antarctica. Sofia's thesis will be focused on understanding trends in the population of South American pinnipeds in relation to changes in climate and fisheries interactions. This is a highly collaborative project involving colleagues from IMARPE and Exeter University.
Sofia is joining the Tift Lab in Fall 2022 as a Fulbright Fellow from Peru. For the last decade, Sofia has been working as a Research Scientist at the Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE), studying the ecology of pinnipeds, cetaceans, and seabirds along the Peruvian coast and in Antarctica. Sofia's thesis will be focused on understanding trends in the population of South American pinnipeds in relation to changes in climate and fisheries interactions. This is a highly collaborative project involving colleagues from IMARPE and Exeter University.
Alyssa Scott - Ph.D. Student
Alyssa's research will be focusing on crabeater seal ecology in Antarctica. Alyssa graduated from University of Washington with a B.S. in Biological Oceanography and joins the lab from Washington state, where she recently served as the Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator & Principal Investigator at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, Washington.
Current Undergraduate Students
Allison Lenihan - Undergraduate Honor's Thesis
Allison is currently a senior biology major at UNCW and is planning on graduating in the Spring of 2023. Allison started working in the Tift lab at the beginning of Fall 2022. Her thesis research focuses on quantifying the efficiency of different types of gas-entrapping-materials (GEMs) to deliver safe quantities of carbon monoxide (CO) to tumors and other tissues. Previous studies have shown that CO can suppress tumor growth if the gas is inhaled, but new methods to deliver the gas are desired. This is a highly collaborative project with members from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Harvard Medical School, University of Iowa, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, Allison plans on attending veterinary schoool.
Katherine 'Kat' Truesdale - Undergraduate Honor's Thesis
Kat started working in the Tift lab in the Spring 2021. Her thesis research focuses on quantifying the efficiency of different types of gas-entrapping-materials (GEMs) to deliver safe quantities of carbon monoxide (CO) to several different tissues. Previous studies have shown that CO can suppress tumor growth if the gas is inhaled, but new methods to deliver the gas are desired. This is a highly collaborative project with members from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Harvard Medical School, University of Iowa, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, Kat plans on attending pharmacy school.
Kat started working in the Tift lab in the Spring 2021. Her thesis research focuses on quantifying the efficiency of different types of gas-entrapping-materials (GEMs) to deliver safe quantities of carbon monoxide (CO) to several different tissues. Previous studies have shown that CO can suppress tumor growth if the gas is inhaled, but new methods to deliver the gas are desired. This is a highly collaborative project with members from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Harvard Medical School, University of Iowa, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, Kat plans on attending pharmacy school.
Collaborators
Ellen Breen, Univ.of California, San Diego
Julia Buck, UNCW
James Byrne, University of Iowa
Daniel Cannon, San Diego State University
Daniel Costa, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
Daniel Crocker, Sonoma State University
Andrea Currylow, USGS
Erica Heinrich, Univ. of California, Riverside
Luis Huckstadt, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
Jane Khudyakov, Univ. of the Pacific
Jennifer McCall, UNCW
Bill McLellan, UNCW
Jessica Meir, NASA
Donald Mock, University of Arkansas
Leo Otterbein, Harvard Medical School
Ann Pabst, UNCW
Matthew Pamenter, University of Ottawa
Justin Perrault, Loggerhead MarineLife Center
Paul Ponganis, Univ. of California, San Diego
Todd Schmitt, SeaWorld
Tatum Simonson, Univ. of California, San Diego
Jay Storz, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
Hendrik Vreman, Stanford Medical School
Binghe Wang, Georgia State University
Ronald Wong, Stanford Medical School
John Widness, University of Iowa Health Care
Terrie Williams, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
José Pablo Vázquez-Medina, Univ. of California, Berkeley
Ellen Breen, Univ.of California, San Diego
Julia Buck, UNCW
James Byrne, University of Iowa
Daniel Cannon, San Diego State University
Daniel Costa, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
Daniel Crocker, Sonoma State University
Andrea Currylow, USGS
Erica Heinrich, Univ. of California, Riverside
Luis Huckstadt, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
Jane Khudyakov, Univ. of the Pacific
Jennifer McCall, UNCW
Bill McLellan, UNCW
Jessica Meir, NASA
Donald Mock, University of Arkansas
Leo Otterbein, Harvard Medical School
Ann Pabst, UNCW
Matthew Pamenter, University of Ottawa
Justin Perrault, Loggerhead MarineLife Center
Paul Ponganis, Univ. of California, San Diego
Todd Schmitt, SeaWorld
Tatum Simonson, Univ. of California, San Diego
Jay Storz, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln
Hendrik Vreman, Stanford Medical School
Binghe Wang, Georgia State University
Ronald Wong, Stanford Medical School
John Widness, University of Iowa Health Care
Terrie Williams, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz
José Pablo Vázquez-Medina, Univ. of California, Berkeley
