Shane Phillips completed his PhD degree in Physiology (2004) at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Dr Julian Lombard’s laboratory with a focus on microvascular physiology and pharmacology. After the completion of his doctoral studies he became a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of David Gutterman MD and plans to join the faculty in the Department of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin later this year. Coupled with clinical training and practice in physical therapy, Shane has developed a set of interests in translational cardiovascular research involving physical activity, obesity and human vascular biology. These studies test vascular endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability as an important anti-atherosclerotic agent and regulator of human vascular tone. This research interest involves dissecting the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and reduced nitric oxide bioavailability during exertion. The goal of this study is to determine how exercise training protects the endothelium from the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species during acute hypertension. Another goal of the laboratory is to evaluate the effects of weight loss with low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets on vascular endothelial function. Each of these studies employs innovative vascular techniques including in vitro and in vivo measurements of vascular health in humans