VISION RESEARCH CENTER FACULTY

R. Scott Duncan, PhD

Dr. Duncan received his doctoral training in pharmacology and neuroscience in the laboratory of Peter Koulen, Ph.D. at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth where he received his Ph.D. in 2008. His dissertation work focused on identifying and characterizing compounds that protect neuronal cells from oxidative damage.

Currently, Dr. Duncan is a Research Scientist in the lab of Peter Koulen, Ph.D. where he utilizes cell-based assays to identify neuroprotective compounds and tests their efficacy using in vitro model systems. In addition, Dr. Duncan uses pharmacological approaches and immunochemical and microscopy techniques to study cellular signaling and pathophysiological processes relevant to eye diseases as well as preclinical potential therapeutic interventions.

Education:
2008 – Doctor of Philosophy degree, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX

1999 – Master of Art degree, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

1996 – Bachelor of Science degree, Department of Microbiology, Major: Microbiology, Minor: Biochemistry

Publications:

1. Duncan RS, Goad DL, Grillo MA, Kaja S, Payne AJ, Koulen P. Control of intracellular calcium signaling as a neuroprotective strategy. Molecules 15(3):1168-95, 2010.
2. Duncan RS, Chapman KD and Koulen P. The Neuroprotective Properties of Palmitoylethanolamine Against Oxidative Stress in a Neuronal Cell Line. Molecular Neurodegeneration 4(50), 2009.
3. Garg P, Duncan RS, Kaja S and Koulen P. Intracellular Mechanisms of N-Acylethanolamine-Mediated Neuroprotection in Stroke. Neuroscience 166(1): 252-62, 2009
4. Hwang J, Duncan RS, Madry C, Singh M and Koulen P. Effects of progesterone on calcium signaling in hippocampal neurons. Cell Calcium 45(3):233-42, 2009.
5. Koulen P, Madry C, Duncan RS, Hwang J, Nixon E, McClung N, Gregg EV and Singh M. Progesterone potentiates IP3-mediated calcium signaling through Akt/PKB. Cell Physiol Biochem 21:161-172, 2008.
6. Stevens SM Jr, Duncan RS, Koulen P, Prokai L. Proteomic analysis of mouse brain microsomes: identification and bioinformatic characterization of endoplasmic reticulum proteins in the mammalian central nervous system. J. Proteome Res. 7(3):1046-54, 2008.
7. Duncan RS, Hwang SY and Koulen P. Differential inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor signaling in a neuronal cell line. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 39(10):1852-1862, 2007.
8. Duncan RS, Sours-Brothers S and Koulen P. Calcium Signaling and Neurodegeneration. Cellscience Reviews 3(3), Electronic journal ISSN 1742-8130, 2007.
9. Tanaka M, Duncan RS, McClung N, Yannazzo JA, Hwang SY, Marunouchi T, Inokuchi K and Koulen P. Homer proteins control neuronal differentiation through IP(3) receptor signaling. FEBS Lett, 580(26):6145-50, 2006.
10. Xin H, Yannazzo JA, Duncan RS, Gregg EV, Singh M and Koulen P. A novel organotypic culture model of the postnatal mouse retina allows the study of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. J Neurosci Methods 159(1):35-42, 2006.
11. R. Scott Duncan, Sung-Yong Hwang, and Peter Koulen, ‘Effects of Vesl/Homer Proteins on Intracellular Signaling.’ Experimental Biology and Medicine 230:527-535, 2005.
12. Koulen P, Duncan RS, Liu J, Cohen NE, Yannazzo JA, McClung N, Lockhart CL, Branden M, Buechner M. Polycystin-2 Accelerates Ca2+ Release from Intracellular Stores in C. elegans. Cell Calcium 37:593-601, 2005.
13. J.H. Westhoff, S.-Y. Hwang, R. S. Duncan, F. Ozawa, P. Volpe, K. Inokuchi, P. Koulen. Vesl/Homer proteins regulate ryanodine receptor type 2 function and intracellular calcium signaling. Cell Calcium, 34/3: 261-269, 2003.
14. S.-Y. Hwang, J. Wei, J. H. Westhoff, R. S. Duncan, F. Ozawa, P. Volpe, K. Inokuchi, and P. Koulen. Differential functional interaction of two Vesl / Homer protein isoforms with ryanodine receptor type 1: A novel mechanism for control of intracellular calcium signaling. Cell Calcium, 34/2: 177-184, 2003.

Website Publications:

1. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Polycystin-L. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2007). (doi:10.1038/mp.a001839.01)
2. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Homer 1b. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2006). (doi:10.1038/mp.a001139.01) (doi:10.1038/mp.a001139.01)
3. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Homer 3. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2006). (doi:10.1038/mp.a001142.01)
4. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Homer 1c. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2006). (doi:10.1038/mp.a002500.01)
5. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Homer 1a. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2006). (doi:10.1038/mp.a001138.01)
6. Duncan RS, Koulen P. Glutamate receptor, metabotropic, type 5. AfCS – Nature Molecule Pages (2006). (doi:10.1038/mp.a001065.01)

Previous Positions:
2004 – 2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Dept. Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Univ. North Texas Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, TX

2002 – 2004 Sr. Research Assistant, Dept. Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Univ. North Texas Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, TX

2000 - 2002 Quality Assurance Microbiologist, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Sherman, TX

1999 - 2000 Quality Control Microbiologist, Carrington Laboratories, Irving, TX

1996 - 1999 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Dept. Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

1995 – 1996 Laboratory Technician, Silliker Laboratories. microbiological analysis of food and beverage products