Helena W Morrison

Helena W Morrison , PhD, RN

Associate Professor

Helena W Morrison

Education

  • Ph.D., Nursing, University of Arizona, 2005
  • B.S.N., Nursing, Angelo State University, 2004
  • B.S., Animal Science, University of Arizona, 1997

Awards

  • Western Academy of Nurses Fellow, Western Academy of Nurses, Spring 2023
  • DAISY Award Certificate of Recognition, The DAISY Foundation, Fall 2020
  • 2018 UBRP Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), Fall 2018
  • Honorable mention for Outstanding UBRP Faculty Mentor, University of Arizona Undergraduate Biology Research Program, Fall 2017
  • Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Early Career Travel Award, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Fall 2015

Teaching Interests

Pathophysiology, Aquired Brain Injury, Neuroinflammation, Glia

Courses

  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Summer 2024)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2024)
  • Directed Research
    PSIO 492 (Spring 2024)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2023)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Summer 2023)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2023)
  • Quan Meth Nurs Rsch
    NURS 730 (Spring 2023)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2022)
  • Methods & Measurement
    NURS 748 (Fall 2022)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Fall 2022)
  • Directed Research
    NSCS 392 (Fall 2022)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 799 (Summer 2022)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 799 (Spring 2022)
  • Research Preceptorship
    NURS 791A (Spring 2022)
  • Quan Meth Nurs Rsch
    NURS 730 (Spring 2022)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Spring 2022)
  • Directed Research
    PSIO 492 (Spring 2022)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Fall 2021)
  • Methods & Measurement
    NURS 748 (Fall 2021)
  • Statistic Infer Evid-Bas Pract
    NURS 629 (Fall 2021)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Fall 2021)
  • Directed Research
    PSIO 492 (Fall 2021)
  • Directed Research
    NSCS 392 (Fall 2021)
  • DNP Project
    NURS 922 (Summer 2021)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 799 (Summer 2021)
  • Quan Meth Nurs Rsch
    NURS 730 (Spring 2021)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Spring 2021)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2020)
  • Quan Meth Nurs Rsch
    NURS 730 (Fall 2020)
  • Directed Research
    NSCS 392 (Fall 2020)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2020)
  • Methods & Measurement
    NURS 748 (Spring 2020)
  • Honors Thesis
    NSCS 498H (Spring 2020)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Spring 2020)
  • Directed Research
    NSCS 392 (Spring 2020)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2019)
  • Quan Meth Nurs Rsch
    NURS 730 (Fall 2019)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Fall 2019)
  • Honors Thesis
    NSCS 498H (Fall 2019)
  • Independent Study
    NSCS 399 (Fall 2019)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Summer 2019)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2019)
  • Practicum
    NURS 694 (Spring 2019)
  • Molecular+Clin Gene/Geno
    NURS 644 (Spring 2019)
  • Honors Thesis
    MCB 498H (Spring 2019)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Spring 2019)
  • Directed Rsrch
    MCB 492 (Spring 2019)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2018)
  • Honors Thesis
    NURS 498H (Fall 2018)
  • Honors Thesis
    MCB 498H (Fall 2018)
  • Honors Independent Study
    NSCS 399H (Fall 2018)
  • Directed Rsrch
    MCB 392 (Fall 2018)
  • Directed Research
    NSCS 392 (Summer 2018)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Spring 2018)
  • Practicum
    NURS 694 (Spring 2018)
  • Molecular+Clin Gene/Geno
    NURS 644 (Spring 2018)
  • Honors Independent Study
    MCB 499H (Spring 2018)
  • Honors Independent Study
    NSCS 499H (Spring 2018)
  • Honors Thesis
    NSCS 498H (Spring 2018)
  • Dissertation
    NURS 920 (Fall 2017)
  • Independent Study
    NURS 699 (Fall 2017)
  • Honors Independent Study
    NSCS 499H (Fall 2017)
  • Honors Thesis
    NSCS 498H (Fall 2017)
  • Honors Independent Study
    MCB 399H (Fall 2017)
  • Practicum
    NURS 694 (Summer 2017)
  • Practicum
    NURS 694 (Spring 2017)
  • Molecular+Clin Gene/Geno
    NURS 644 (Spring 2017)
  • Honors Independent Study
    NSCS 499H (Spring 2017)
  • Honors Independent Study
    PSIO 399H (Spring 2017)
  • Emerg Disease+Pop Hlth
    NURS 753 (Fall 2016)
  • Honors Thesis
    PSIO 498H (Fall 2016)
  • Honors Independent Study
    PSIO 399H (Fall 2016)
  • Honors Independent Study
    NSCS 399H (Fall 2016)
  • Honors Independent Study
    PSIO 499H (Spring 2016)
  • Honors Independent Study
    MCB 499H (Spring 2016)

Research Impact

I am working to improve stroke patient outcomes by informing novel sex-specific therapeutics. I investigate microglia cells—the brain phagocyte—under physiologic and pathologic conditions. My primary research inquiry focuses on discovering how sex, estrus cycle and ovarian function influences microglial morphology in the healthy brain and their phagocytic phenotypes after ischemic stroke.

Research Interests

Ischemic Stroke, Neuroinflammation, Microglia, Astrocytes, Phagocytosis

Journals/Publications

  • Ritter, L. S., Matthew, G. J., Rothers, J. L., Morrison, H. W., & DeBoe, J. C. (2022). An Outpatient Transitions of Care Model for Heart Failure. International Journal of Nursing and Heath Care Science, 2(10), 1-7.
  • Nguyen, T. V., Crumpacker, R. H., Calderon, K. E., Garcia, F. G., Zbesko, J. C., Frye, J. B., Gonzalez, S., Becktel, D. A., Yang, T., Tavera-Garcia, M. A., Morrison, H. W., Schnellmann, R. G., Longo, F. M., & Doyle, K. P. (2021). Post-stroke administration of the p75 neurotrophin receptor modulator, LM11A-31, attenuates chronic changes in brain metabolism, increases neurotransmitter levels, and improves recovery. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics.
  • Pottenger, A. E., Bartlett, M. J., Sherman, S. J., Falk, T., & Morrison, H. W. (2021). Evaluation of microglia in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease primed with L-DOPA after sub-anesthetic ketamine treatment. Neuroscience letters, 765, 136251.
  • Taylor-Piliae, R. E., Morrison, H. W., Hsu, C. P., Whitman, S., & Grandner, M. (2021). The Feasibility of Tai Chi Exercise as a Beneficial Mind-Body Intervention in a Group of Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors with Symptoms of Depression. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2021, 8600443.
  • Young, K. F., Morrison, H. W., Gardner, R., Falk, T., Bartlett, M. J., Sariana, V., Whitman, S. A., Whitman, S. A., Sariana, V. C., Bartlett, M. J., Gardner, R., Falk, T., Young, K. F., & Morrison, H. W. (2021). Can quantifying morphology and TMEM119 expression distinguish between microglia and infiltrating macrophages after ischemic stroke and reperfusion in male and female mice?. Journal of neuroinflammation, 18(1), 58.
  • McGovern, K. E., Cabral, C. M., Morrison, H. W., & Koshy, A. A. (2020). Aging with Toxoplasma gondii results in pathogen clearance, resolution of inflammation, and minimal consequences to learning and memory. Scientific reports, 10(1), 7979.
  • May, J. T., Littzen, C. O., Morrison, H. W., & Loescher, L. J. (2020). Experiences of dual PHD-DNP nursing students during doctoral education. Journal of professional nursing : official journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 36(5), 348-355.
  • Beitchman, J. A., Griffiths, D. R., Hur, Y., Ogle, S. B., Bromberg, C. E., Morrison, H. W., Lifshitz, J., Adelson, P. D., & Thomas, T. C. (2019). Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Chronic Glutamatergic Dysfunction in Amygdala Circuitry Known to Regulate Anxiety-Like Behavior. Frontiers in neuroscience, 13, 1434.
  • Morrison, H. W., & Filosa, J. A. (2019). Stroke and the neurovascular unit: glial cells, sex differences, and hypertension. American journal of physiology. Cell physiology, 316(3), C325-C339.
  • Saber, M., Giordano, K. R., Hur, Y., Ortiz, J. B., Morrison, H., Godbout, J. P., Murphy, S. M., Lifshitz, J., & Rowe, R. K. (2019). Acute peripheral inflammation and post-traumatic sleep differ between sexes after experimental diffuse brain injury. The European journal of neuroscience.
  • Rowe, R. K., Harrison, J. L., Morrison, H., Subbian, V., Murphy, S. M., & Lifshitz, J. (2018). Acute post-traumatic sleep may define vulnerability to a second traumatic brain injury in mice. Journal of neurotrauma.
  • Young, K., & Morrison, H. (2018). Quantifying Microglia Morphology from Photomicrographs of Immunohistochemistry Prepared Tissue Using ImageJ. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE.
  • Morrison, H., Young, K., Qureshi, M., Rowe, R. K., & Lifshitz, J. (2017). Quantitative microglia analyses reveal diverse morphologic responses in the rat cortex after diffuse brain injury. Scientific reports, 7(1), 13211.
  • Morrison, H. W., Young, K., Qureshi, M., Rowe, R., & Lifshitz, J. (2017). Quantitative microglia analyses reveal diverse morphologic responses after diffuse brain injury. Scientific Reports.
  • Filosa, J. A., Morrison, H. W., Iddings, J. A., Du, W., & Kim, K. J. (2016). Beyond neurovascular coupling, role of astrocytes in the regulation of vascular tone. Neuroscience, 323, 96-109.
  • Morrison, H. W., & Filosa, J. A. (2016). Sex differences in astrocyte and microglia responses immediately following middle cerebral artery occlusion in adult mice. Neuroscience, 339, 85-99.
  • Morrison, H. W., & Filosa, J. A. (2013). A quantitative spatiotemporal analysis of microglia morphology during ischemic stroke and reperfusion. Journal of neuroinflammation, 10, 4.
  • Downs, C. A., & Morrison, H. W. (2011). Beyond the PhD: putting the right tools in your research toolbox. Biological research for nursing, 13(1), 5-14.
  • Morrison, H., McKee, D., & Ritter, L. (2011). Systemic neutrophil activation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and reperfusion. Biological research for nursing, 13(2), 154-63.
  • Morrison, H. W., & Downs, C. A. (2011). Immunological methods for nursing research: from cells to systems. Biological research for nursing, 13(3), 227-34.
  • Morrison, H., Frye, J., Davis-Gorman, G., Funk, J., McDonagh, P., Stahl, G., & Ritter, L. (2011). The contribution of mannose binding lectin to reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke. Current neurovascular research, 8(1), 52-63.
  • Ritter, L., Davidson, L., Henry, M., Davis-Gorman, G., Morrison, H., Frye, J. B., Cohen, Z., Chandler, S., McDonagh, P., & Funk, J. L. (2011). Exaggerated neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury after ischemic stroke in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes. Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994), 18(7), 552-61.

Presentations

  • Ozols, A. A., Marballi, K. K., Beck, K. L., Morrison, H. W., & Gallitano, A. L. (2021, September 9th). The immediate early gene EGR3 is required for Trem2 expression. Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium 2020 Annual Scientific Conference. University of Arizona, Tucson AZ: Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium.
  • Morrison, H. W., Falk, T., Pottenter, A. E., Bartlett, M. J., Pottenter, A. E., Bartlett, M. J., Falk, T., & Morrison, H. W. (2020, April). Ketamine’s Effects to Improve Dyskinesia in a Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Western Institute of Nursing: 53rd Annual Communicating Nursing Research Conference. Portland, OR.
  • Morrison, H. W., May, J., Littzen, C., & Loescher, L. (2019, Fall). MENTORING EXPERIENCED BY DUAL DOCTORAL DEGREE (PHD-DNP) NURSING STUDENTS. Western Institute of Nursing Research Conference.
  • Morrison, H. W., May, J., Littzen, C., & Loescher, L. J. (2019, Fall). Experiences of PhD-DNP dual degree nursing students prior to doctoral candidacy. AACN Doctoral Education Conference.
  • Morrison, H. W. (2016, April). Biomarkers of brain injury in Model systems of ischemic stroke. In: Meeting the Biomarker Challenge: Omics, Model Systems and Translational Research (Chair).. Western Institute of Nursing 49th Annual Communicating Research Conference. Anaheim, CA.
  • Morrison, H. W. (2016, October). Sex and menopause differences in microglia phagocytosis after ischemic stroke. Translational Neurotrauma Research Program Seminar Series. Phoenix.
  • Morrison, H. W. (2015, November). Differences in microglia immune function and stroke outcomes as a function of sex and post-menopause in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.. In Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing 2015 Early Stage Investigatory Proposal Meeting Session. American Heart Association National Conference. Orlando, FL.

Poster Presentations

  • Falk, T., Heien, M. L., Polt, R. L., Streicher, J. M., Madhavan, L., Sherman, S. J., Szabò, L., Apostol, C. R., Molnar, G., Liu, C., Bartlett, M. J., Morrison, H. W., Lujan, A., & Bernard, K. (2021, Fall). Evaluation of a systemically delivered PACAP glycopeptide as a neuroprotective agent in 2 rodent models of Parkinson’s Disease.. Society for Neuroscience Meeting.
  • Stopera, C., Bartlett, M. J., Sexauer, M. R., Bernard, K., Stancati, J., Sherman, S. J., Steece-Collier, K., Morrison, H. W., & Falk, T. (2021, November). Analysis of neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of sub-anesthetic ketamine-treatment in the progressive unilateral 6-OHDA-lesion rat model.. Society for Neuroscience Meeting.
  • Stopera, C., Bartlett, M. J., Bernard, K., Sexauer, M. R., Esqueda, A., Morrison, H. W., Sherman, S. J., & Falk, T. (2021, January). Behavioral analysis in the progressive unilateral 6-OHDA-lesion rat model indicate a neuroprotective effect of sub-anesthetic ketamine-treatment.. Society for Neuroscience Global Connectome Conference.
  • Taylor-Piliae, R. E., Morrison, H. W., Hsu, C., & Grandner, M. (2021, Summer). Changes in Symptoms, Sleep, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Markers Among Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors After a Tai Chi Exercise Intervention.. European Society of Cardiology, EuroHeartCare 2021 Congress. online presentation due to COVID-19.
  • Giordano, K., Ortiz, J. B., Saber, M., Hur, Y., Lifshitz, J., Morrison, H. W., & Rowe, R. (2019, June). Microglia elimination recovers peripheral inflammation-induced sleep but prolongs TBI-induced sleep in mice. National Neurotrauma Society. Pittsburgh.
  • Morrison, H. W., Falk, T., Bartlett, M. J., & Pottenger, A. E. (2018, Fall). Evaluating the effects of Sub-Anesthetic Ketamine on Microglia Morphology in a Pre-Clinical Model of L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia. Society for Neuroscience.
  • Morrison, H. W., Pottenger, A. E., & Falk, T. (2018, November). Evaluating the effects of sub-anesthetic ketamine on microglia morphology in a pre-clinical model of L-Dopa induced dyskinesia.. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego, CA.
  • Morrison, H. W., Falk, T., Bartlett, M. J., & Pottenger, A. E. (2018, Fall). Evaluating the effects of Sub-Anesthetic Ketamine on Microglia Morphology in a Pre-Clinical Model of L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia. Society for Neuroscience Meeting.
  • Morrison, H. W., & Young, K. F. (2018, November). Spatial and sex differences in microglia responses after ischemic stroke in mice: evaluating morphology, phagocytosis and IBA1(+)/TMEM119(-) cells. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego.
  • Bartlett, M. J., Flores, A. J., Dollish, H. K., Doyle, K., Pottinger, A., Morrison, H. W., Sherman, S. J., & Falk, T. (2017, December). Neuroplastic effects contribute to the suppression of L-DOPA-induced dyskineasis by sub-anesthetic ketamine. Neurobiology, Aging, Dementias and Movement Disorders Division Meeting. Scottsdale, Arizona: Arizona Wellbeing Commons Division.
  • Giordano, K. R., Young, K., Akhter, M., Morrison, H. W., Lifshitz, J., & Rachel, R. K. (2017, July). Secondary Neuropathology and Inflammation Affect Cerebellar Function Following Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury. National Neuroscience Society. Snowbird, UT.
  • Morrison, H. W., Law, L. M., Thomas, T. C., & Lifshitz, J. (2017, July). Neuropathology of the Hippocampal Memory Circuitry in the Days Following Experimental Diffuse Brain Injury. National Neurotrauma Society. Snowbird, UT.
  • Morrison, H. W., Young, K., & Salguero, S. (2017, March). SECOND PLACE AWARD!! Sex differences in microglia morphology, complement receptor 3 subunits (CD11b/CD18), and cytokines in the adult healthy brain among male, female, and post-menopause model mice. 12th annual Frontiers in Immunobiology and Immunopathogenesis Symposium 2017. Tucson, Bio5: Department of Immunobiology.
  • Salguero, S., Young, K., & Morrison, H. W. (2017, March). SECOND PLACE AWARD!! Methods to Quantify Diverse Microglia Morphologies in the Healthy and Injured Brain. WAESO Student Conference.
  • Young, K., Castaneda, S., Ritchie, J., & Morrison, H. W. (2017, June). The importance of sex, cycle and ovarian function in the healthy mouse brain: microglia morphology, complement receptor 3, and cytokines. Neuroinflammation: Concepts, Characteristics, Consequences. Keystone, CO: Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology.
  • Morrison, H. W., Young, K., Qureshi, M., & Johnathan, L. (2016, November). Computer-aided skeleton analysis of microglia de-ramification after experimental diffuse brain injury. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego.
  • Morrison, H. W., Young, K., & Salguero, S. (2016, November). Sex differences in microglia morphology, phagocytic marker CD11b, and cytokines in the adult healthy brain among male, female and post-menopause model mice.. Society for Neuroscience. San Diego.
  • Morrison, H. W., Iniguez, D., & Craig, Z. (2016, January). The Effects of Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) on Brain Neuroinflammation.. UBRP conference. Tucson, AZ.