Joaquin U. Gonzales, Ph.D.

Researcher: Joaquin U. Gonzales, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology

Laboratory: Room 119, Vascular Aging Laboratory

 

 

Personal Statement

Dr. Gonzales has 16 years of experience conducting applied physiology studies in humans. He currently directs the Vascular Assessment Laboratory where he has been an independent investigator since 2010. His background includes the study of sex differences in skeletal muscle fatigue and vascular function during exercise. Dr. Gonzales has been funded by the National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (pre-doctoral award, 2006-2008), the National Institute on Aging (post-doctoral award, 2008-2010), and the American Heart Association (2015-2017). His current research focus is understanding the i) impact of age-related vascular dysfunction on physical function, and ii) interventional strategies to improve vascular function in older adults.

Laboratory Skills and Capabilities 

• Measure ambulatory (24-hr) blood pressure (brachial and aortic)
• Measure blood flow, arterial elasticity or stiffness at rest or during exercise using Doppler ultrasound
• Assess endothelial-dependent vasodilatory capacity by measuring arterial flow-mediated dilation using Doppler ultrasound
• Assess peripheral microvascular function using strain-gauge plethysmography
• Pulse wave analysis using SphygmoCor technology*Near infrared spectroscopty (NIRS) measure of cerebral or skeletal muscle oxygenation
  • measures pulse wave velocity (gold standard estimate of arterial stiffness)
  • measures local and central (aortic) blood pressures
  • estimates left ventricular diastolic function
• Near infrared spectroscopty (NIRS) measure of cerebral or skeletal muscle oxygenation
• Gait performance testing (can measure speed, stride length, cadence, variability)
• Accelerometer-based assessment of ambulatory activity (peak cadence, total steps) or time spent in activity of different intensities (sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous)

Laboratory Equipment

• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Units (SunTech, Oscar2 w/SphygmoCor Inside)
• Beat-by-Beat Blood Pressure System (CNAP 500at)
• Brachial and Carotid Artery Analyzer (Medical Imaging Applications)
• Doppler Ultrasound (GE Healthcare, Vivid 7)
• GT3XE-Plus Triaxial Activity Monitors (ActiGraph)
• Mobility Lab Gait & Balance System (Dynavision)
• Near Infrared Spectroscopy System (Artinis, PortaLite)
• PowerLab Acquisition System (8SP model)
• Rapid Cuff Inflation System (Hokanson E20)
• SphygmoCor PVx system (AtCor Medical)
• Strain-Gauge Plethysmography System (Hokanson EC6)