Vivian Gonzalez-Perez

Vivian is an Instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology. She grew up in Cuba where she graduated from the University of Havana with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She moved to Chile in 2003 and later obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from University of Valparaiso.

During her graduate program in Chile, she became engaged in studying fundamental biophysics of potassium channels which lead to joining the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Lingle at Washington University’s Department of Anesthesiology in 2010. In the Lingle Lab, she has been studying the physiological roles of Ca2+ and voltage-regulated BK-type potassium channels and their regulatory subunits. Her current research focus is to understand how ion channels impact epithelial homeostasis and inflammation. This has led to the discovery that a particular form of BK channel is selectively expressed in goblet cells and protects against inflammation.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, traveling, reading, visiting family and friends. She is a fan of St. Louis Cardinals. Fun fact: “This is the first time in my life that I am able to vote for a President (so excited!)”