I have always been interested in science, but as an underclassman at Missouri State University, MSU (formerly Southwest MSU), I didn’t immediately know what I wanted to study. It took me a while, but I eventually decided to major in chemistry since it is relevant to literally everything in the universe. In my mind, this left me plenty of leeway in terms of future career possibilities. During my time at MSU, I took part in two undergraduate research projects – one in the Department of Chemistry, and one in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. It was participation in these research projects that made me realize my interest in the research aspect of science, especially that with relevance to human health. After I graduated, I obtained a Research Assistant position at the University of Missouri – Kansas City in the School of Biological Sciences. During my two years there, I realized I wanted to have more of a leadership role in research. So, I applied to graduate school programs, and accepted an offer at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Subsequently, I chose to join the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics because it best fit my research and career interests
Research Interests
In Dr. McCarson's lab, our research interests are where the fields of neuroscience, endocrinology and pharmacology meet in the study of pain. I am interested in sex or gender differences in chronic pain sensation and specifically the role of estrogens in modifying pain mechanisms. For example, the incidence of many chronic pain disorders is higher in women than in men, and women often experience more chronic/recurring pain over their lifetimes than men. Some aspects of pain have been shown to vary with estrogen status/levels. My project focuses on identifying anatomical sites in the nervous system where estrogen enhances pain using a model of persistent inflammatory pain. Further directions might be investigating which estrogen receptors, intracellular signals, and molecular mechanisms are involved. Discovering this information could lead to better and more personalized pharmacological treatments for chronic pain, especially for women.
Selected Publications
Ralya, A., McCarson, K.E. (2008) “Estrogen enhances inflammatory nociception, but is this through a spinal mechanism?” Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Program No. 468.14
Ralya, A., McCarson, K.E. (2007) “Is spinal nociceptive activation modulated by an estrogen surge?” Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, Program No. 284.14.
Ralya, A., McCarson, K.E. (2006) Do endogenous male gonadal hormones contribute to sex differences in nociception in the rat? Society for Neuroscience Abstracts.
McCarson, K.E., Ralya, A., Reisman, S.A., Enna, S.J. (2005) Amitriptyline prevents thermal hyperalgesia and modifications in rat spinal cord GABA(B) receptor expression and function in an animal model of neuropathic pain. Biochemical Pharmacology 71: 196-202.
Contact Information
Andrew Ralya
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics
The University of Kansas Medical Center
MS 1018
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: (913) 588-7595
Fax: (913) 588-7501
E-Mail: aralya@kumc.edu
Updated 9/5/08
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The University of Kansas Medical Center