Director of Project IV that seeks to determine how high blood pressure driven vascular mechanical forces and structural cues alter the capacity of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) to exert its vasoactive functions and direct preadipocyte and adipocyte phenotypes. Dr. Contreras is a DVM with background on adipose tissue biology and will supervise the team of research assoaciates and graduate students that will develop project IV. His duties include designing experiments, mentoring students and associates, data analysis, and manuscript drafting.