CONTACT INFORMATIONCREDENTIALSAWARDSPUBLICATIONSRobert T. Dirksen, Ph.D.Contact InformationPhone NumbersOffice: (585) 275-4824Fax: (585) 273-2652Research LabsVisit Lab WebsiteLocationsUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and Dentistry601 Elmwood Ave, Box 711Rochester, NY 14642Faculty AppointmentsProfessor - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD) Chair - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD) Lewis Pratt Ross Professorship of Pharmacology and Physiology - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD) BiographyResearchDr. Dirksen directs a multi-disciplinary research program focused on elucidating disease mechanisms and advancing treatment for muscular dystrophy and heart disease. The laboratory investigates the pathophysiological mechanisms by which defects in the proper control of intracellular calcium signaling lead to muscle dysfunction and disease. Current projects involve elucidating the cellular mechanisms by which muscle function is controlled by proteins involved in coordinating: 1) excitation-contraction coupling, 2) store-operated calcium entry, and 3) mitochondrial calcium uptake and energy production, as well as 4) the molecular mechanisms for skeletal and cardiac muscle dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy.CredentialsEducation1985BS | University of Notre DameBiology1988MS | University of RochesterPharmacology1991PhD | University of RochesterPharmacologyPost-doctoral Training & Residency1991 - 1996Postdoctoral Fellow, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (Mentor: Kurt G. Beam, Ph. D.)Awards2015ChairSponsor: Muscle: Excitation-Contraction Coupling Gordon Conference2012Vice-ChairSponsor: Muscle: Excitation-Contraction Coupling Gordon Conference2002Graduate Student Society Faculty Mentoring AwardVIEW ALL expand_morePublicationsJournal Articles9/5/2022O'Connor TN, Kallenbach JG, Chakkalakal JV, Dirksen RT. "Exercise attenuates juvenile irradiation-induced skeletal muscle decline by improving calcium handling and decreasing mitochondrial stress." The Journal of general physiology.. 2022 Sep 5; 154(9)Epub 2021 Nov 12. 9/5/2022Wei-LaPierre L, Groom L, Dirksen RT. "Acute exposure to extracellular BTP2 does not inhibit Ca2+ release during EC coupling in intact skeletal muscle fibers." The Journal of general physiology.. 2022 Sep 5; 154(9)Epub 2021 Dec 15. 6/28/2021Michelucci A, Liang C, Protasi F, Dirksen RT. "Altered Ca Handling and Oxidative Stress Underlie Mitochondrial Damage and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction in Aging and Disease." Metabolites.. 2021 Jun 28; 11(7)Epub 2021 Jun 28. Books & Chapters2006 Chapter Title: Malignant hyperthermia Susceptibility is: GeneReviews at GeneTests. Book Title: Medical Genetics Information Resource [database online] Author List: Rosenberg, H; and Dirksen, RT Published By: University of Washington 2006 in Seattle2005 Chapter Title: Pathophysiology of muscle disorders linked to mutations in the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor. Book Title: Ryanodine Receptors: Structure, Function and Dysfunction in Clinical Disease Author List: Dirksen RT and Avila G Edited By: XH Wehrens and AR Marks Published By: Springer 2005VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONSClose WindowSchedule an appointment with Robert T. Dirksen, Ph.D.Please answer the following questions to help us find the right appointment for you.Important: If you believe that you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. This website is not intended for emergency care.Have you seen this provider in the last 2 years?YesNoExisting Patient Schedule or request a follow up appointment online through MyChart. If you do not have a MyChart account, please close this window and call the appointment phone number. Robert T. Dirksen, Ph.D. is currently scheduling for the following appointment type(s): Our policy does not permit patients to establish care with multiple providers within the same practice or specialty without prior approval. If you choose a new provider in the same office, we will cancel the appointment. Please contact the office directly with questions on this policy.