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Chair & Associate Professor
Kinesiology & Applied Physiology
University of Delaware
Email: wbf@udel.edu
Phone: (302) 831-6178
Fax: (302) 831-3693
Post-Doctoral, BIDMC & HRCA Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 2001
Ph.D., Penn State University, University Park, PA
M.S., East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
B.S., East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
The focus of my research is blood pressure regulation / autonomic nervous system function in humans. Current projects include a study of the mechanisms underlying salt sensitivity of blood pressure. In this project we directly measure sympathetic outflow using the technique of peroneal microneurography during a stimulus designed to acutely increase plasma sodium concentration. The purpose of this project is to determine if those with “salt sensitive” blood pressure respond differently than those with “salt resistant” blood pressure. Other projects include an examination of vein stiffness in adults with normal blood pressure and adults with high blood pressure; as well as an examination of the mechanisms underlying differences in vein stiffness. Finally, we are beginning a project to determine if COX-2 inhibition increases salt sensitivity of blood pressure in adults with normal resting blood pressure.