Faculty and Staff Biography

DeRuisseau-Lara

Lara DeRuisseau

Associate Professor, Anatomy and Physiology & Program Director Biomedical Science
Basic Sciences

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Nutrition, Florida State University, December 2001
    • Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
  • Master of Science in Nutritional Neuroscience, Florida State University, December 2003 
  • Ph.D. Respiratory Physiology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, August 2006
    • 2003-2006 University of Florida, Alumni Fellowship
    • 2003-2006 University of Florida, Presidential Scholarship
    • 2004-2006 National Institutes of Health, T32 Pre-doctoral trainee (NIH T32 HD043730)
  • Post-doctoral fellowship, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Motor Control, Department of Neurosurgery, September 2007

Specialty

Dr. DeRuisseau is a whole-animal physiologist focused on answering scientific questions about the neural control of cardiorespiratory function. In particular, her research focuses on physiological changes across the lifespan in developmental disabilities.

Current Research

Dr. DeRuisseau is currently NIH funded to investigate the project “Heart and vascular responses across the lifespan in Ts65Dn mice, a model of Down syndrome.”

Vita Highlights

Dr. DeRuisseau is an active and engaged member of the American Physiological Society including elected positions on the International Committee and Trainee Advisory Committee. She earned the Rev. Richard M. McKeon, S.J. Scholar of the Year Award and the Louis D. DeGennaro Undergraduate Mentor Award at Le Moyne College. 

Dr. DeRuisseau has served on various NIH study sections and was part of the Down Syndrome Society Heart and Vascular Working Group to develop the next decade of research priorities for Down syndrome research.