Howell, Sandra

Contact Information
Associate Professor
Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Office: CHP 155
Phone: (323) 442-2932
E-mail: showell@usc.edu

Dr. Howell is Director of the Muscle Function Laboratory. She conducts basic research in cellular mechanisms underlying diaphragm dysfunction and the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance in congestive heart failure. She has been a Parker B. Francis fellow in pulmonary medicine.
 
Education:

• Parker B. Francis Fellow in Pulmonary Medicine, University of Southern California

• Postdoctoral Fellow in Cardiopulmonary Medicine, Johns Hopkins University

• Ph.D., McGill University, Experimental Medicine

• M.S., University of Southern California, Physical Therapy

• B.S., Indiana University, Physical Therapy

Selected Publications:

• Dominguez, J. and Howell, S. (2003). Compartmental analysis of steady state Ca2+ kinetics in chronic congestive heart failure. Cell Calcium. 33(3):167-174.

• Howell, S., W Z. Zhan, and G.C. Sieck. (1997). Diaphragm disuse reduces Ca2= uptake capacity of sarcoplasmic reticulum. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(l):164 171.

• Howell, S. (1996) Compartmental analysis of Ca2+ in long lasting diaphragm fatigue: loss of t tubular bound Ca2+. J. Appl. Physiol. 80(6):2009 2018

• Howell, S., J M. Maarek, M. Fournier, K. Sullivan, W Z. Zhan, and G. Sieck (1995). Congestive heart failure: differential adaptation of the diaphragm and latissimus dorsi. J. Appl. Physiol. 79(2)389 397.

• Khoo, M.C.K., D. Gelmont, S. Howell, R. Johnson, F. Yang, and H.K. Chang (1993). Effects of high frequency chest wall oscillation on respiratory control in humans. Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 139:1223 1230.

• Nichol, D.G., S. Howell, J. Massik, J. Robotham, and M. Rogers (1990). Relationship of diaphragmatic contractility to diaphragmatic blood flow in newborn lambs. J. Appl. Physiol., 66:120 127.

• Fitzgerald, R.S., S. Howell, and W.E. Jacobus (1989). 31 PNMR study of resting in vitro rat diaphragm exposed to hypercapnia. J. Appl. Physiol., 65:2270 2277.

• Fitzgerald, R.S., S. Howell, M.S. Pike, and W.E. Jacobus (1989). NMR study of rat diaphragm exposed to metabolic and compensated metabolic acidosis. J. Appl. Physiol., 65:2278 2284.

• Schnader, J., S. Howell, R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1988). Interaction of fatigue and hypercapnia in the canine diaphragm. J. Appl. Physiol., 64:1636 1643.

• Howell, S., R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1986). Effects of aminophylline and salbutarnol on diaphragm function during compensated metabolic acidosis. Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 133:407 413.

• Howell, S., R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1985). Effects of aminophylline, isoproterenol, and neostigmine on hypercapnic depression of diaphragmatic contractility. Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 132:241 247.

• Howell, S., R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1985). Effects of neostigmine and salbutamol on diaphragmatic fatigue. Resp. Physiol., 62:15 29.

• Howell, S., R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1985). Effects of uncompensated and compensated metabolic acidosis on canine diaphragm. J. Appl. Physiol., 59:1376 1382.

• Schnader, J.Y., G. Juan, S. Howell, R.S. Fitzgerald, and C. Roussos (1985). Arterial CO, partial pressure affects diaphragmatic function. J. Appl. Physiol., 58:823 829.

• Howell S. and C. Roussos (1984). Isoproterenol and aminophylline improve contractility of fatigued canine diaphragm. Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 129:118 124.

• Jones, D.A., S. Howell, C. Roussos, and R.H.T. Edwards (1982). Low frequency fatigue in isolated skeletal muscles and the effects of methylxanthines. Clin. Sci., 63:161 167.

• Sigrist, S., D.Thomas, S. Howell. (1982). Effects of aminophylline on diaphragm. Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 126:46 50.