Isaac Pessah
Associate Dean and Professor
Associate Dean and Professor
Molecular Biosciences
Molecular Biosciences
Phone Number
Office
2203 VM3B, Davis, CA 95616
Research Profile
Education
1977, BS, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York,
1981, MS, University of Maryland, Baltimore,
1983, PhD, University of Maryland, College Park
Active Research Grants
Principal Investigator, Molecular and Cellular Basis of PCB Developmental Neurotoxicity, (Principal Investigator), NIH
Principal Investigator, Molecular Mechanisms of Marine Organohalogen Bioaccumulation and Neurotoxicity, (Principal Investigator), NSF - NIH/NIEHS
Principal Investigator, Novel mechanisms for seizure mitigation and neuroprotection, (Principal Investigator), NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Principal Investigator, Students Training in Advanced Research, (Principal Investigator), NIH/Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health
Principal Investigator, Biomarkers of exposure to hazardous substances/Superfund, (Principal Investigator), NIH/National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences
Honors and Awards
1980-1981 Sea Grant Predoctoral Research Grant, University of Maryland, College park, MD
1982-1983 Recipient of USDA, Predoctoral Fellowship
1988-1993 NIH First Award
1997 Pfizer Award for Research Excellence
2002 Larry L. Hillblom Endowed Chair in Developmental Disorders in Children (nominated)
2006-2008 Cure Autism Now, Environmental Innovator Award (Inaugural)
2011 Neurobehavioral Toxicology Society's Elsevier Distinguished Lectureship presented at their June 2011 meeting in San Diego, CA
2012 NIH Honor
Isaac Pessah has accepted the invitation of the NIH Center for Scientific Review to serve in the Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section from July 2012 through June 2016. Members are selected for the quality of their research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. Pessah’s participation is important in assuring the quality of the NIH peer review process. Membership in this group is both an honor and a major commitment of professional time and energy resulting in a unique opportunity to contribute to the national biomedical research effort.
Isaac Pessah has accepted the invitation of the NIH Center for Scientific Review to serve in the Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section from July 2012 through June 2016. Members are selected for the quality of their research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. Pessah’s participation is important in assuring the quality of the NIH peer review process. Membership in this group is both an honor and a major commitment of professional time and energy resulting in a unique opportunity to contribute to the national biomedical research effort.
2016 Distinguished Professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
2018 Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
2018 Reappointed 2015-US EPA, Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee
2019 Appointed-US EPA, Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee and SACC
Most Recent Five Book Chapters
2018 Van De Water JA, Pessah IN: Bench to Bedside and Practical Assessment. In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Hollander E, Hagerman RJ, Fein D, (ed), Environmental Toxicity and Immune Dysregulation, . .
2014 Zhou J, Allen PD, Pessah IN: Malignant Hyperthermia and Other Related Disorders, , Miller RD, Eriksson LI, Fleisher L, Wiener-Kronish JP, Cohen NH, (ed), Elsevier Health Sciences, NY, NY, . 1033-1052.
2011 Bose DD, Pessah IN: Ryanodine receptor type 1, , Nature Signaling Gateway: Molecule Page, . .
2011 Lein PJ, Barnhart CD, Pessah IN: Acute Hippocampal Slice Preparation and Hippocampal
Slice Cultures, Chapter 8, L Costa, (ed), In vitro Toxicology, Methods in molecular biology, Clifton, NJ. 115-134.
Slice Cultures, Chapter 8, L Costa, (ed), In vitro Toxicology, Methods in molecular biology, Clifton, NJ. 115-134.
2011 Stafstrom CE, Hagerman PJ, Pessah IN: Pathophysiology of epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders, Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, (ed), Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition, . .
Research Focus
Molecular and Cellular Signaling
Molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating cellular Ca2+ signaling. The structure, function, and pharmacology of ryanodine-sensitive calcium channels of sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum in striated muscle and mammalian brain. Role of immunophilins in Ca2+-dependent and independent signaling cascades. Genetic and xenobiotic factors influencing malignant hyperthermia susceptibility Mechanisms responsible for the developmental neurotoxicity of halogenated aromatics Genetic and environmental factors influencing neurodevelopment
Specialty Focus
Toxicology