Sept 23 | The Effect of Nicotine on the Adolescent Heart and Brain
The Effect of Nicotine on the Adolescent Heart and Brain
A scientific seminar by Dr. Nicole H. Purcell, PhD
When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 3 to 4 PM
Where: Engemann Family Auditorium at HMRI | 686 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 (Zoom option available)
Who Should Attend: Scientists, researchers, and scientific enthusiasts
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality in developed nations, with aging and nicotine use recognized as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke. While electronic cigarettes are often perceived as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, nicotine is a major component of both traditional and electronic devices, and nicotine levels in electronic devices are largely unregulated. This raises particular concerns about high nicotine exposure among adolescents and its potential effects on the heart and brain, which remain poorly understood.
This lecture will explore research examining how nicotine triggers inflammation and increases PHLPP1 expression in the adolescent heart and brain, producing changes similar to those observed with normal aging and potentially increasing vulnerability to cardiac injury and cognitive impairment. The findings highlight the role of PHLPP1-regulated pathways in nicotine-induced inflammation and mitochondrial damage and their potential as therapeutic targets for protecting the heart and brain.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Nicole Purcell joined Huntington Medical Research Institutes in 2021 to pursue two passions: conducting research on intracellular signaling pathways involved in cardiovascular disease and training and nurturing the next generation of scientists and physicians. In addition to her role as Professor of Cardiovascular Signaling, Dr. Purcell serves as Scientific Director of HMRI’s Postdoctoral Program, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), STEM Program for Pasadena rising juniors and seniors, Biomedical Research Internship, and American Heart Association Supporting Undergraduate Research Experience (AHA SURE). She has a unique ability and passion for mentoring individuals who wish to pursue careers in various scientific and medical fields.
Before joining HMRI, Dr. Purcell spent almost 14 years at the University of California, San Diego, as a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology. Her contributions to science include research on the regulation of signal transduction pathways in the heart, the role of MAP kinases and related enzymes in cardiac diseases, and the therapeutic targeting of a newly discovered phosphatase (PHLPP) that impacts the physiology and pathophysiology of the heart and brain.
Dr. Purcell has been a member and distinguished leader of the North American Section of the International Society for Heart Research (NAS-ISHR) for over 15 years. Currently, she is a member of the NAS-ISHR Leadership Committee and serves as Treasurer of the North American Section. Additionally, Dr. Purcell is actively involved in the American Heart Association (AHA) and serves as Chair of the AHA Council Operations Committee – Early Career Committee. She is also a member of several committees for the AHA Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Council and is the Social Media Editor for Circulation Research.