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Micheal A Thornton

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
EMAIL
PHONE
850-412-5059
OFFICE
Biology

Office Hours

Jones Hall -- 511

Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 11:35 am - 1:35 pm
Tuesday/Thursday: 10:00 am -- 11:00 am

Current Semester Schedule

PCB 3063 Principles of Genetics  •  MWF 10:10 am - 11:00 am
PCB 5205 Cell Structure and Function  •  MW 5:30 pm - 07:15 pm
BSC 1011 General Biology II  •  Tu Th 8:00 am - 8:50 am
PCB 3063 Genetics Lab 01  •  Tu 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
PCB 3063 Genetics Lab 02  •  Th 11:00 am - 1:30 pm

About Me

I have an interest in conducting scientific research. I do research on CD36. CD36 is a glycosylated membrane receptor, which is highly expressed on the surface of megakaryocytes and platelets. The ligand for the CD36 receptor is thromobospondin (TSP-1). It has been posited that CD36/TSP-1 interactions play a critical role in mediating the initial events of primary hemostasis by serving to fortify the molecular connections made between platelets via fibrinogen and the platelet-specific aIIb/b3 receptor. Studies on the pathophysiology of this receptor have primarily focused on its role in atherogenesis where CD36 is believed to facilitate the conversion of macrophages into foam cells. However, examples of platelet pathophysiology have also been observed. Human platelets from patients deficient in CD36 fail to aggregate in response to Collagen Type V. Further, CD36 deficient individuals are at significant risk of developing post transfusion and neonatal isoantibodies. In addition to its expression on megakaryocytes and platelets, CD36 is also expressed in a finite yet diverse range of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. Recent CD36 gene regulation studies suggest that tissue-specific cis elements and tissue-specific differential promoter use are critical components in regulating CD36 expression uniquely in each of these assorted tissue types. While the transcriptional gene regulation of CD36 in monocytes, hepatocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, murine lymphocytes and human vascular smooth muscle cells has been examined, no detailed studies concerning the regulation of CD36 expression in megakaryocytes have been issued. My Lab is involved in the examination of the molecular determinants for the regulated expression of the CD36 gene during megakaryopoiesis.

Areas of Interest

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Cell Physiology
  • Evolution
  • Neuroprotection
  • Neurotoxicity

Education

 
  • Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology-emphasis in Molecular Genetics • 2001
    University of Pennsylvania
  • BS in Biology • 1985
    LaSalle University

Work History

  • Associate Professor • 2015-2025
    Florida A&M University (FAMU) 
  • Assistant Professor • 2003-2014
    Florida A&M University (FAMU)
  • Lecturer • 1999-2003
    University of Pennsylvania -Nursing School
  • Post Doc in Gene Therapy
    Joseph Stokes Research Center at CHOP

Academic Accomplishments

  • 2001 Received PhD from University of Pennsylvania
  • 2003 Granted Tenure and Promotion Faculty Slot as Assistant Professor at Florida A&M University
  • 2009 Granted Tenure at Florida A&M University
  • 2014 Promoted to Associate Professor
  • 2015-Present--Continued Scholarship and Journal Article Publishing

Awards

  • 1994-1998 Awarded NRSA-Minority Predoctoral Fellowship Program (years 1-4)
  • 1994-1995 Awarded Fontaine Fellowship for Outstanding Minority Scholars.
  • 1999-2000 Awarded Merck Predoctoral Fellowship award
  • 1999-2000 Awarded NRSA-Minority Predoctoral Fellowship Program (year 5, continued)
  • 2001 Completion of Dissertation, Ph.D degree conferred, University of Pennsylvania
  • 2001-2004 Awarded NIGMS Postdoctoral training grant
  • 2004 Nominee for Teacher of the Year.
  • 2006 Awarded Outstanding Mentor for Graduate Student Training at the 2nd Annual
  • Florida Workshop on Hemostasis and Thrombosis.
  • 2010 Granted Tenure Florida A&M University
  • 2010 Department Award for Outstanding Contributor during SACS accreditation process.
  • 2012 Outstanding Program Design Award for Active Learning Pedagogy in the Biological
  • 2014 Promoted to Associate Professor
  • 2018 Selected by CST Dean to be QEP Liaison for the College of Science and Technology
 

Courses Taught At FAMU

  • PCB 3063 Principles of Genetics
  • PCB 3063 Genetics Lab
  • PCB 5205 Cell Structure and Function
  • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics
  • BSC 1010 General Biology I
  • BSC 1010L General Biology I Lab
  • BSC 1011 General Biology II
  • BSC 1005 Non Majors Biology
  • BSC 1005L Non Majors Biology LAB
  • BSC 4905 Directed Individual Study
  • BSC 4931 Pro Seminar

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