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Alexander Ovechkin, MD, Ph.D.

image_mini-1Alexander Ovechkin, MD, Ph.D. received his MD and PhD degrees in Surgery from Perm State Medical Academy, Russia in 1981 and 1996, respectively. While working as a general surgeon, he maintained his academic affiliation with Perm State Medical Academy. Combining his duties as a clinician with his interest in medical research, he also worked as a Research Associate in the Russian State Medical Academy while serving as the Medical Director of Surgery at the Perm City Hospital. During this time, his publications dealt with surgical and pathophysiological issues.

Dr. Ovechkin came to the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Louisville in 1999 to continue his research and was involved in projects that studied the regulatory mechanisms of pulmonary circulation in an ischemia-reperfusion model. He also enrolled in a doctoral program in the department and received his second PhD in 2005. During his studies he developed unique echocardiographic and electrophysiological methods for evaluating heart and lung function.

In 2006, he joined the Neuroscience Collaborative Center where he performs clinical research dealing with cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. Recently, he has become involved in studies of motor control recovery during acute and chronic spinal cord injury.

Dr. Ovechkin is as an Assistant Professor in the University of Louisville, Department of Neurological Surgery and an associate faculty member of the Department of Physiology & Biophysics. Dr. Ovechkin has authored of more than 50 publications and his work has been extensively presented at National and International meetings.

Email: alexander.ovechkin@louisville.edu


Research Studies

Cardiovascular Recovery with Epidural Stimulation
The major goal of this research is to demonstrate that spinal cord Epidural Stimulation (scES) can be used to recover significant autonomic function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as the ability to volitionally (willfully) control leg movements below the level of injury (LOI).

Funding: The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation/The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Recovery of Function, Health & Quality of life for People with Paralysis
The major goal is to restore motor function and quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury using epidural stimulation and locomotor training therapies.

Funding: The Leona M. & Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Effectiveness of the Respiratory Muscle Training on Improvement of Orthostatic Tolerance in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
The overall aim of this study is to examine the effects of respiratory muscle training on blood pressure regulation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.

Funding: Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust Fund (KSCHIRT)

Respiratory Motor Control & Blood Pressure Regulation After Spinal Cord Injury
This clinical study is designed 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training on improving respiratory motor control and blood pressure regulation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury and 2) to investigate the mechanisms of such effects.

Funding: National Institute of Health


Cores and Projects

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary


Publications

Complete Listing of Articles at the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health