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Bret M. Evers, M.D., Ph.D., is Pathologist and Director of the Histo Pathology Core. He is Assistant Professor of Pathology, Boarded in Neuropathology as well as Anatomic Pathology, and current faculty member in Neuropathology.

In addition to his Neuropathology responsibilities and Director role for the Histo Pathology Core, Dr. Evers serves as:

• Integrated Curriculum Course Director, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Human Pathology Course
• Ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
• Ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology
• Ad hoc reviewer for the Ophthalmology

Research Interests

Neurodegeneration, neuromuscular disease, ophthalmic pathology, lipid metabolism, lysosomal biology, and inborn errors of development and metabolism.

Research Summary

• Insig-mediated regulation of craniofacial and hair follicle development
• Defining the physiologic role of progranulin in lysosomes using lipidomic and transcriptomic approaches

Awards

• Texas Society of Pathologists: Educational Foundation Scholarship 2015
• Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation: Endowed Fund in Alzheimer's Disease Research Award 2015
• UTSW Department of Pathology: Bruce D. Fallis Resident Award for Teaching 2014 & 2015
• UT Southwestern Medical School: Outstanding Teacher Award 2017

Education

Ph.D. — UT Southwestern Graduate School, Dallas, TX

M.D. — UT Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX

Undergraduate — Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

James A. Richardson, D.V.M., Ph.D., Diplomate (ACVP), is Senior Pathologist and Collaborator of the Histo Pathology Core. Dr. Richardson is Professor Emeritus of Pathology and Molecular Biology, holder of the Minnie Stevens Piper Professorship, and Distinguished Teaching Professor.

In addition to his past teaching responsibilities and directorship of the Histo Pathology Core, Dr. Richardson served as:

• Course Director, MSII Pathology Course
• Subcommittee Chair, UT Southwestern Pre-Matriculation Basic Science Curriculum Advisory Committee
• Chairman, UT Southwestern Student Assistance Committee
• Member, UT Southwestern Medical School Admissions Committee
• Vice-Chairman, State of Texas Joint Admissions Medical Program
• Charter Member, Southwestern Academy of Teachers
• Member, UT Academy of Health Science Education

Research Interests

gfpemb Characterization of mutant phenotypes and the molecular basis of embryonic and neonatal development, as well as the study of models of heart disease and muscular disorders; utilizing gross pathology, routine histology, in-situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry techniques. Clinical and research expertise in gross pathology/necropsy, histopathology, specialized microscopy, digital and 35mm imaging and analysis, desktop publishing and graphics.

Research Summary

• Characterization of the gene knockout phenotypes: Orexin, Insig-1, Capsulin, MyoR, CRP 1/2, Scleraxis, HRT-1/2/3, FBP-1, Nkx2.5, HSF-1/2, EVEC, Enothelins-a, b, 1, 2, 3, ECE-1/2, miRs-143/145, HDAC-1/2/3, dHand, eHand, Ets71, GATA-4/5
• Characterization of cholesterol synthesis pathway genes: SCALD, LDLR, VLDLR, ApoER2
• Characterization of the expression patterns of muscle specific genes: Myoglobin, FHL2, MNF, PKD1, MEF2c
• Characterization of the expression patterns of renal ischemia response genes: IRF-1, IL-6, G-CSF
• Characterization of cardiac hypertrophy phenotypes as a function of pressure overload or gene expression: CamKII, MLCK, PKD1, MEF2d, HDAC-1/2, STARS, SRF1, TRPC6
• Models of insulin resistance, glucose homeostasis, and adipose filling: STAT3, SREBP-1c, ET-1
• Efficacy of skin rejuvenation techniques and skin-filler/lypolysis agents: 1540nmEr laser, CO2 laser, hyaluronic acid
• Characterization of genetic point mutations resulting in myopathy: H6PD, MEF2c, RING-fp1/3
• Characterization of smooth muscle homeostasis genes: CRP-1/2, Fibulin-5, Dlx6, Tie-2

Awards

• University of Texas Regents' Outstanding Teacher Award 2012
• University of Texas System Distinguished Teacher 2011
• Outstanding Teacher Award (UT Southwestern): Classes of 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997,1995, 1993, 1991
• Teacher of the Year (University of Florida): Classes of 1985, 1984

Education

Ph.D. — Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

D.V.M. — University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Undergraduate — Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Jessica Williams, Alex Daniel, and Josue Ramirez are senior histologists and the technical managers of the Histo Pathology Core. Possessing 28 years of combined research histology experience, they oversee all elements of the lab's hands-on benchwork.

As a collective, they consult with PIs and PI-surrogates to define/relate histologic goals in the Core's Accessioning Database and facilitate the intake of specimens. They ensure that PI-defined goals are achievable, budget-conscious, and clear. Jessica, Alex, and Josue are experts in rodentia sub-organ anatomy and each works with their subordinates to produce the highest quality histology for the Core's clients.

Jessica spearheads new client introductions to the lab and assists with billing integrity. Josue oversees wet-tissue readiness, paraffin processing, and consults with animal dissection. Alex oversees minute specimen handling, as well as all of the lab's spatial proteomic and spatial trascriptomic histology.

Jessica Williams
Senior Research Associate
University of Houston
May 2011 - Present

Juan Alejandro (Alex) Daniel
Senior Research Associate
University of Texas at Arlington
January 2016 - Present

Josue Ramirez
Histology Technician
Texas A & M University
April 2020 - Present

In addition to the lab's managerial partners, the Histo Pathology Core is staffed with six full-time technicians. All full-time lab members are highly capable, degreed professionals, and each is tasked with producing the highest quality histologic sections available from the specimens submitted. Each member is also specialized to serve as point histologist for one, or more, difficult developmental- or investigator-specific anatomies/stains.

In order of most seniority, the technicians are:

John M. Shelton is a part-time Senior Database Analyst in the Histo Pathology Core. Shelton, a veteran molecular histologist, now retired from his Operations Manager role, continues to support the Core's Laboratory Information Systems and participates as a special projects consultant.

Research Interests

Comparative anatomic and histologic elucidation of mutant and disease phenotypes, the study of skeletal muscle fiber-type remodeling, as well as structural and physiologic based myopathies. Research expertise in gross pathology, routine histology, enzyme histochemistry, in-situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection, digital imaging, morphometrics, plant pathology, and mammalian clinical pathology.

Support and augmentation of long standing research collaborations with the Departments of Pathology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Internal Medicine - Divisions of Cardiology, Nephrology, Touchstone Diabetes Center, as well as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute:

• cardiac & skeletal muscle development
• skeletal muscle physiology - cholesterol metabolism
• cell signaling and transcription licensing
• cardiac, renal, and hepatic fibrosis
• ischemic and acidotic nephropathy
• tumor prophylaxis and mitigation
• bile acid metabolism
• gonadal development
• cell storage disorders
• atherosclerosis and vascular weakening

Extramural Studies - Short Courses

• Buehler Industries Material Science & Processing Wet Lab - Lake Bluff, IL
• Intl Laser Microdissection & Microgenomics Workshop - Chicago, IL
• Leica AS-LMD Workshop I & II - New York, NY, Research Triangle, NC
• Non-Human Primate Precaution Class - San Antonio, TX
• Texas Society for Microbiology Enterobacteriaceae Course - Temple, TX
• Texas Electron Microscopy Wet Lab - Houston, TX

Offices, Awards, & Certifications

• List Owner & Moderator - Histonet Global Listserve
• Resource Owner/Operator - MolePathScopeSignUp
• Resource Owner/Operator - MolePathBilling
• Certificate - FileMaker App Developer Specialist/Associate
• Certificate - FileMaker Server Administrator Associate
• Certificate - Claris Connect App Developer Associate
• Certificate - Oracle Database Explorer
• Certificate - Oracle EPM Profitability & Cost Management Explorer
• Certificate - Lean Six Sigma White Belt
• Past Committee Chair - Imaging CyTOF Strategy Group
• Past Committee Member - Provost Core Business Plan Form/Tool Design Group
• Past Liaison, UT Southwestern Office of Safety & Business Continuity/Cardiology Division
• Past Committee Member - Donald W. Seldin Outstanding Service Award
• Past Committee Chair, TBAALAS Elections Committee
• Recipient, Donald W. Seldin Award
• Recipient, TBAALAS Technical Presenter Award
• Subject, AP Wire "Biotech doesn't always require advanced degree"
• Subject, utswNews Social-Media Hub Featured Bio - John M Shelton
• Invited Speaker, Baylor Research Foundation Continuing Education

Education

College — Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Over the long history of the Core, there have been many conscientious technicians and assistants who have contributed to the lab's success.

Their names, exiting title, alma maters, dates of service, and organization that they matriculated to, are listed in tribute to them: