My current research focuses on the development of quantitative approaches to study biological systems at multiple levels of organization (i.e. multiscale modeling). In particular I am interested in developing a theoretical framework that will advance our understanding of how cellular and subcellular phenomena integrate to impact structure-function and dynamic relations of whole physiological systems, based on the kinetics of underlying molecular processes.

Our laboratory, established in fall 2003, focuses on the interplay between mechanical forces, cell biology, and integrated organ physiology. The central issues are:

1. how a cell actively develops mechanical forces, and how these forces affect chemical transitions (for example in the actomyosin ATPase cycle);
   
2. how a cell senses and responds to mechanical forces; and
   
3. how changes in protein-protein interactions of the cytoskeletal elements and accessory proteins inside the cell can affect cell or organ properties and their function.

We bring to this research area an interdisciplinary approach that spans engineering science, computational science, biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. We combine molecular, cellular, and whole organ approaches in order to understand cell and tissue biology, muscle physiology, and whole organ physiology. Pulmonary physiology and smooth muscle biology remain the core of our research experience, however, the interdisciplinary approach described in a recently awarded grant, can be expanded to the studies of the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal disorders.

Principal topics of our research include:

1. Quantitative System Analysis of Muscle Mechanics and Metabolism;
   
2. In Vitro Test of a Critical Phenomenon Causing Airway Closure in Normals and Asthmatics;
   
3. “Virtual Smooth Muscle” Project; and
   
4. the Development of a "Virtual Lung".

BSME, 1975, and MSME, 1982, University of Belgrade
Ph.D., 1991, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)