Carolyn P. Ojano-Dirain, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Research Interests

• Aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity
• Mitochondrial disorder-associated hearing loss
• Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis with labyrinthine injury
• Xylitol's mechanism of action in preventing recurrent AOM
• Microbial ecology of the middle ear in health and disease

Contact

Office
Phone: (352) 273 - 5225
Fax: (352) 392 - 6781

Email
ojanoc@ent.ufl.edu
Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not wish your email address released in response to a a public records request do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Use of email is restricted to existing patients only. Please refer to the department's email policy for more information regarding email communications with department faculty.

Education & Licensure

Education

2007 - 2009
Post-doctoral Training
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
University of Florida, Gainesville FL

2002 - 2006
PhD, Cell and Molecular Biology,
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

2000 - 2002
M.S., Poultry Science (Nutrition),
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

1993 - 1997
B.S. Agriculture, major in Animal Science (Nutrition), University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Cum Laude and top student in graduating class

Academic Affiliations

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture

Poultry Science Association

World's Poultry Science Association

Southern Poultry Science Society

Presentations

1. P.J. Antonelli, E.M. Sampson, and C. P. Ojano-Dirain. Biofilm formation on silicone tympanostomy tubes with and without polyvinylpyrrolidone coating. Podium presentation at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. April 30-May 2, 2010, Las Vegas, NV.

2. Carolyn P. Ojano-Dirain, et al. Adeno-associated virus-mediated knockdown of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1a in specific regions of the rat brain. 2009 UF College of Medicine Research Day; United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Meeting. Vienna, VA. June 23-27, 2009. (Poster)

3. Carolyn P. Ojano-Dirain, et al. Structure-based Drug Design in the Search for New Treatment of Mitochondrial Diseases. United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. June 24-28, 2008. (Poster)

4. C. Ojano-Dirain, N. R. Pumford, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Association of duodenum mitochondrial complex activity, protein expression and protein oxidation with feed efficiency in broilers.

5. C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Toyomizu, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Gene Expression in Duodenum and Breast Muscle of Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency.

6. C. Ojano-Dirain, N. Tinsley, M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. 2004. Membrane Potential and Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency.

7. C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, N. Pumford, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Assessment of Respiratory Chain Complex Activities and Protein Expression in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broiler Breeder Males with Low and High Feed Efficiency.

8. C. P. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper and W. Bottje. Relationship Between Glutathione and Respiratory Chain Complex Activities in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broiler Breeder Males with Low and High Feed Efficiency.

9. C. P. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, D. Cawthon, S. Swonger, T. Wing, M. Cooper and W. Bottje. 2003. Site-specific Defects in Electron Transport in Duodenal Mitochondria is Associated with Low Feed Efficiency in Broiler Breeder Males.

10. C. P. Ojano-Dirain, C. A. Fritts and P.W. Waldroup, 2002. Evaluation of Lysine, Methionine and Threonine Needs of Broilers Three to Six Weeks of Age Raised Under Moderate Temperature Stress.

Publications

Refereed Publications

1. P.J. Antonelli, E.M. Sampson, and C. P. Ojano-Dirain. Biofilm formation on silicone tympanostomy tubes with and without polyvinylpyrrolidone coating. Archives of Otolaryngology -Head and Neck Surgery. Submitted.
2. Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, Lyudmyla G. Glushakova, Li Zhong, Sergei Zolotukhin, Nicholas Muzyczka, Arun Srivastava, and Peter W. Stacpoole. AAV8-siRNA vector-mediated knockdown of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1a: Potential utility of tyrosine-mutant vectors in developing an animal model of PDH deficiency. Mol. Ther. Submitted.
3. Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, PhD, David Ostrov, PhD and Peter W. Stacpoole, PhD, MD. Structure-based drug design in the search for new treatment of mitochondrial diseases. Manuscript in preparation.
4. Lyudmyla G. Glushakova, Matthew J. Lisankie, Evgeniy B. Eruslanov, Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, Irene Zolotukhin, Chen Liu, Arun Srivastava and Peter W. Stacpoole. 2009. High-efficiency transduction of human hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma cells by AAV3 serotype vectors: metabolic remodeling and apoptosis following gene transfer and expression of the pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha subunit gene. Mol. Genet. Metab. 98(3):289-99.
5. W. Bottje, M. D. Brand, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, M. Toyomizu, and T. Wing. 2009. Mitochondrial Proton Leak Kinetics and Relationship with Feed Efficiency within a Single Genetic Line of Male Broilers. Poult. Sci. 88: 1683-1693.
6. Sandelin, B. A., A.H. Brown, Jr., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, W.G.. Bottje, M.A. Brown W.O. Herring, Z.B. Johnson, and R.T. Baublits. Protein Expression in Muscle Mitochondria in Angus Steers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. J. Animal Sci. Accepted for publication.
7. Sandelin, B. A., A.H. Brown, Jr., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, W.G. Bottje, M.A. Brown W.O. Herring, M. Akin, Z. B. Johnson, and R.T. Baublits. Different measures of energetic efficiency, ultrasound and carcass merit and their relationships with mitochondrial activity in Angus cattle. J. Animal Sci. Accepted for publication.
8. Ojano-Dirain, C., N. B. Tinsley, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. G. Bottje. 2007. Membrane Potential and H2O2 Production in Duodenal Mitochondria from Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology: Part A. Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 147:934-941.
9. Ojano-Dirain, C., M. Toyomizu, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. G. Bottje. 2007. Gene Expression in Breast Muscle and Duodenum from Low and High Feed Efficient Broilers. Poult. Sci. 86: 372-381.
10. Ojano-Dirain, C. 2006. Duodenal Mitochondrial Function and Feed Efficiency in Broilers. PhD Dissertation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
11. Lassiter, K., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford, N. Tinsley, T. Wing, J. Lay, R. Liyanage, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. 2006. Differential Expression of Mitochondrial and Extra-mitochondrial Proteins in Lymphocytes of Low and High Feed Efficient Male Broilers. Poult. Sci. 85:2251-2259.
12. Ojano-Dirain, C., N. R. Pumford, M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. G. Bottje. 2005. Biochemical evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory chain in duodenum of low and high feed efficient broilers. Poult. Sci. 84: 1926-1934.
13. Iqbal, M., N. Pumford, Z. X. Tang, K. Lassiter, C. Ojano-Dirain, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. G. Bottje. 2005. Compromised liver mitochondrial function and complex activity in low feed efficient broilers within a single genetic line associated with higher oxidative stress and differential protein expression. Poult. Sci. 84:933-941.
14. Ojano-Dirain, C., M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. 2005. Glutathione and Respiratory Chain Complex Activity in Duodenal Mitochondria of Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Poult. Sci. 84:782-788.
15. Ojano-Dirain, C., Iqbal, M., Swonger, S., Cawthon, D., Wing, T., Cooper, M. and Bottje, W. 2004. Determination of Mitochondrial Function and Site-specific Defects in Electron Transport in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Poult. Sci.83 (8): 1394-1403.
16. Ojano-Dirain, C. P., and P.W. Waldroup, 2002. Protein and Amino Acid Needs of Broilers in Warm Weather: A Review. Int’l. J. Poult. Sci.  1(4):40-46.
17. Ojano-Dirain, C. P., and P.W. Waldroup, 2002. Evaluation of Lysine, Methionine and Threonine Needs of Broilers Three to Six Weeks of Age Raised Under Moderate Temperature Stress.  Int’l. J. Poult. Sci. 1(1-3):16-21.
18. Ojano-Dirain, C. 2002. Nutritional Approaches to the Alleviation of Heat Stress in Broilers. M.S. Thesis, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. 

Reviews and Proceedings

1. Ojano-Dirain, C., N. R. Pumford, M. Toyomizu, and W. G. Bottje. 2007. Association of Mitochondrial Function and Feed Effieciency. Invited Review. J. Poult. Sci. 44:221-237.
2. Iqbal, M., N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, J. P. Higgins and W. Bottje. 2006. Mitochondria and feed efficiency: Mechanism elucidation and Implications. Invited Review. J. Recent Advances in Poultry Production.
3. Bottje, W., N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, and K. Lassiter. 2006. Feed Efficiency and Mitochondrial Function: Invited Review. Poult. Sci. 85:8-14.
4. Sandelin, B.A., A.H. Brown, Jr., M.A. Brown, C. Ojano-Dirain, and R.T. Baublits. 2005. Association of Mitochondrial Function with Feed Efficiency in Angus
   Cattle. Research Series 535: Arkansas Animal Science Report. Pages 118-121.
5. Bottje, W.G., M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, and K. Lassiter, 2005. Understanding Feed Efficiency at the Cellular Level.  Proceedings of ANECA Conference, Puerto Vallarta, MX  April 28-29, 2005.
6. Bottje, W., Iqbal, M. Ojano-Dirain, C., and Pumford, N. R. 2004. Role of mitochondria in the phenotypic expression of feed efficiency. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 13: 94-105.
7. Iqbal, M., N.R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, J.P. Higgins, and W. Bottje, 2004.  Mitochondria and feed efficiency: Mechanism elucidation and implications. The Poultry Federation Nutrition Conference.  Sept. 15-17, Rogers, AR.
8. Bottje, W. G., M. Iqbal, N.R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, and N. Tinsley, 2004.  Unraveling feed efficiency:  A mitochondrial perspective.  53rd National Breeders Roundtable Symposium (May 6-7, St. Louis, MO) p. 60-104.
9. Mauromoustakos, A., and C. Ojano-Dirain. Teaching Statistical Methods Courses with Case Studies and JMPâ. Proc. International SAS User’s Conference, Seattle, WA. April 2003.

Abstracts

1. P.J. Antonelli, E.M. Sampson, and C. P. Ojano-Dirain. Biofilm formation on silicone tympanostomy tubes with and without polyvinylpyrrolidone coating. Accepted for podium presentation at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. April 30-May 2, 2010, Las Vegas, NV.
2. Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, PhD1, Lyudmyla G. Glushakova PhD1, Nicholas Muzyczka PhD2,3, Arun Srivastava, PhD2,4, and Peter W. Stacpoole, PhD, MD1,5. Adeno-associated virus-mediated knockdown of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1a in specific regions of the rat brain. 2009 UF College of Medicine Research Day; United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Meeting. Vienna, VA. June 23-27, 2009.
3. Lyudmyla G.Glushakova, Matthew J. Lisankie, Evgeniy B. Eruslanov, Carolyn Ojano-Dirain, Irene Zolotukhin, Chen Liu, Arun Srivastavac and Peter W. Stacpoole. High-Efficiency Transduction of Human Hepatoblastoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by AAV3 Serotype Vectors: Metabolic Remodeling and Apoptosis following Gene Transfer and Expression of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase E1 alpha Subunit Gene, 12th Annual Meeting of American Society of Gene Therapy, 2009, May 27-30, San-Diego, USA;  27th Annual Pediatric Science Days 2009 Symposium. Gainesville,FL, April 23-2;
4. Carolyn P. Ojano-Dirain, PhD1, Andrew Magis2, David A. Ostrov, PhD2, and Peter W. Stacpoole, PhD, MD1,3,4. 1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism; 2Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine; 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 4General Clinical Research Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610. Structure-based Drug Design in the Search for New Treatment of Mitochondrial Diseases. United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Meeting. Indianapolis, IN. June 24-28, 2008.
5. C. Ojano-Dirain1*, N. R. Pumford1, T. Wing2, M. Cooper2, J. Lay3, R. Liyanage3,         and W. G. Bottje1. 1Department of Poultry Science, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701; 2Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Siloam Springs, AR 72761; 3State Wide Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Identification of Potential Feed Efficiency Biomarkers. 2007 PSA-ASAS-ADSA-AMPA Joint Meeting. San Antonio, TX. July 8-12, 2007.
6. R. Qiu*1, C. Ojano-Dirain2, W. G. Bottje2, C. Chiang3, M. Chichlowski1, J. Croom1, L. Daniel 1, M. Koci1; North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina1, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA2, National Chung Hsing University , Taiwan3. Effect of a direct fed microbial on oxidative stress in the ileal and cecal epithelia of broilers. To be presented at the 2007 PSA-ASAS-ADSA-AMPA Joint Meeting. San Antonio, TX. July 8-12, 2007.
7. Ojano-Dirain, C., N. R. Pumford, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Association of duodenum mitochondrial complex activity, protein expression and protein oxidation with feed efficiency in broilers. Proc. Poult. Sci. Assoc. Annual Meeting. Auburn, AL. Aug. 2005.
8. Lassiter, K., N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, J. Lay, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Differential expression of proteins in lymphocytes of high and low feed efficient male broilers. Proc. Poult. Sci. Assoc. Annual Meeting. Auburn, AL. Aug. 2005.
9. Bottje, W. G., M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, and K. Lassiter. 2005. Understanding feed efficiency at the cellular level. Proc. ANECA Conference, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. April 28-29, 2005.
10. Feliz, E. A., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. E. Davis, C. V. Maxwell, M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford and W. G. Bottje. Respiratory chain complex activity in longissimus muscle and spinalis dorsi in high and low feed efficiency swine within a single genetic line. ASAS Midwest 2005.
11. Sandelin, B.A., A.H. Brown, Jr., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, W.G. Bottje, M.A. Brown W.O. Herring, M. Akin, Z. B. Johnson, and R.T. Baublits. Different measures of energetic efficiency, ultrasound and carcass merit and their relationships with mitochondrial activity in Angus cattle. Southern Section American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting (Feb. 4-8, 2005, Little Rock, AR).
12. Ojano-Dirain, C., M. Toyomizu, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. Gene Expression in Duodenum and Breast Muscle of Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Int’l. Poult. Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Jan. 2005.
13. Iqbal, M., N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, J. P. Higgins and W. Bottje. Mitochondria and Feed Efficiency: Mechanism Elucidation and Implications. in: Proc. Arkansas Nutrition Conference. September 15-17, 2004, Rogers, AR.
14. Ojano-Dirain, C., N. Tinsley, M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. 2004. Membrane Potential and Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broilers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Proc. ADSA ASAS PSA Joint Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO USA. July 25 to 29. Poult. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):110.
15. Lassiter, K., Iqbal, M., Ojano-Dirain, C., Tinsley, N., Bottje, W., Wing, T., and Cooper, M., 2004. Differential expression of mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial proteins in lymphocytes of low and high feed efficient broilers within a single male line. Proc. ADSA ASAS PSA Joint Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO USA (July 25-29). Poult. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):188.
16. Tinsley, N., Iqbal, M., Pumford, N. R., Lassiter, K., Ojano-Dirain, C., Higgins, J. P. Bottje, W., Wing, T. and Cooper, M., 2004. Differential expression of mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial proteins in heart of low and high feed efficient broilers within a single male line. Proc. ADSA ASAS PSA Joint Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO USA (July 25-29). Poult. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):188.
17. Sandelin, B.A., A.H. Brown, Jr., C. Ojano-Dirain, M. Iqbal, W.G.. Bottje, M.A. Brown W.O. Herring, Z.B. Johnson, and R.T. Baublits. 2004. Protein Expression in Muscle Mitochondria in Angus Steers with Low and High Feed Efficiency. ADSA ASAS PSA Joint Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO USA (July 25-29). J. Anim. Sci (Suppl. 1):416.
18.  Bottje, W. G., M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, K. Lassiter, and N. Tinsley. 2004. Unraveling Feed Efficiency: A Mitochondrial Perspective. Proc. Breeders Roundtable Symposium. St. Louis, MO.
19. Ojano-Dirain, C., M. Iqbal, N. Pumford, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, T. Wing, M. Cooper, and W. Bottje. 2004. Assessment of Respiratory Chain Complex Activities and Protein Expression in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broiler Breeder Males with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Proc. Int’l. Poult. Sci. Forum, Atlanta, GA. p.1763.
20. Iqbal, M., N. Pumford, K. Lassiter, N. Tinsley, C. Ojano-Dirain, T. Wing, M. Cooper W. Bottje. 2004. Differences in Protein Banding Patterns in Several Tissues in Broiler Breeder Males with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Proc. Int’l. Poult. Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA. pp 49.
21. Mauromoustakos, A., and C. Ojano-Dirain. Teaching Statistical Methods Courses with Case Studies and JMPâ. Proc. International SAS User’s Conference, Seattle, WA. April 2003.
22. Bottje, W. G., M. Iqbal, N. R. Pumford, C. Ojano-Dirain, and K. Lassiter. 2003. Role of Mitochondria in the Phenotypic Expression of Feed Efficiency. Informal Nutrition Symposium. J. Appl. Poult. Res. Vol. 13, Spring 2004 (1).
23. Ojano-Dirain, C. P., M. Iqbal, T. Wing, M. Cooper and W. Bottje. Relationship Between Glutathione and Respiratory Chain Complex Activities in Duodenal Mitochondria in Broiler Breeder Males with Low and High Feed Efficiency. Proc. Poult. Sci. Assoc. 92nd Annual Meeting, Madison, WI. July 2003. Poult. Sci. 83(1).
24. Ojano-Dirain, C. P., M. Iqbal, D. Cawthon, S. Swonger, T. Wing, M. Cooper and W. Bottje. 2003. Site-specific Defects in Electron Transport in Duodenal Mitochondria is Associated with Low Feed Efficiency in Broiler Breeder Males. Proc. Int’l. Poult. Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA. pp 11.
25. Ojano-Dirain, C. P., C. A. Fritts and P.W. Waldroup, 2002. Evaluation of Lysine, Methionine and Threonine Needs of Broilers Three to Six Weeks of Age Raised Under Moderate Temperature Stress. Proc. Poultry Sci. 81(Suppl.1):112.

Professional Experience

Grants

Honors & Awards

2007
Aubrey E. Harvey Graduate Research Award from Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (The international honor society of scientific and engineering research)

2007
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Distinguished Ph.D. Scholar Award

2006
Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award (only one Alltech Award is given out each year and the candidate must have won previously in their respective section). International Poultry Sci. Forum, Atlanta, GA.

2005
Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture) 1st Place Award for Student Research Presentation

2005
Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award, (only one Alltech Award is given out each year and the candidate must have won previously in their respective section). International Poultry Sci. Forum, Atlanta, GA.

2004
Poultry Science Graduate Assoc. Certificate of Excellence for Best Graduate Student Research Presentation

2004
Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture) 2nd Place Award for Student Research Presentation

2004
Achievement Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Research Presentation, International Poultry Scientific Forum

2004
University of Arkansas Center of Excellence for Poultry Science Travel Award for Best Graduate Student Research Presentation

2003
Poultry Science Graduate Assoc. Certificate of Excellence for Best Graduate Student Research Presentation

2003
Achievement Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Research Presentation, International Poultry Scientific Forum

2003
University of Arkansas Center of Excellence for Poultry Science Travel Award for Best Graduate Student Research Presentation

2002
University of Arkansas Center of Excellence for Poultry Science Travel Award for Best Student Research Presentation

2002 
Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture) 1st Place Award for Graduate Student Research Presentation 

2002
Poultry Science Graduate Assoc. Thomas Sullivan Travel Award

1997
Cum Laude University of the Philippines

1997
Gold Medal Awardee, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture