The Cummings Lab focuses on understanding how the brainstem integrates signals from central autonomic pathways to regulate critical functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Primarily located in the medulla oblongata, these neural centers dynamically adapt to physiological challenges, maintaining homeostasis during stress or environmental changes, including hypoxia. Our research explores how hypoxia disrupts these pathways, leading to maladaptive cardiovascular and respiratory responses.

Using advanced techniques like in vivo rodent models, electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and nerve recordings, we aim to uncover deeper insights into disorders such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and cardiorespiratory conditions in both infants and adults.

Dr. Kevin J. Cummings leads a multidisciplinary team of postdoctoral researchers and collaborators in neuroscience, electrophysiology, and autonomic regulation.

We employ a variety of advanced research techniques, including: Optogenetics & Chemogenetics, Electrophysiology, Fluorescence & Photometry, and in Vivo Monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory function in awake, behaving rodents.