Dr. Caitlin Torgerson earned her B.S. in Sport Science (concentration in Exercise Physiology) from The University of Richmond and her Ph.D. in Physiology from The Pennsylvania State University. She then spent 4 years as a post-doctoral fellow in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Starting in 2008, she began teaching physiology at JHU in the School of Medicine and the graduate program in Physiology. Since 2013, she has been teaching physiology-related coursework in JHU’s Engineering for Professionals Applied Biomedical Engineering program (EN.585.601, EN.585.602, EN.585.725, EN.585.747).
Outside of teaching for JHU, Caitlin has also taught physiology in biology, nursing, and PA (Physician’s Assistant) programs, as well as teaching prep courses for the nurse anesthetist board exam and continuing education courses for certified registered nurse anesthetists.
In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys running, hiking, choral conducting and vocal performance, cooking, reading books printed on actual paper, and spending time with her family in their home outside of Colorado Springs, CO.
Education History
- B.S., Exercise Science, The University of Richmond
- Ph.D., Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University
Work Experience
Instructor, Johns Hopkins University
Publications
Abstracts
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Champion HC, Santhanam L, Harris ZL, and Shoukas AA. Cyclohexanone contamination in extracorporeal circuits mimics cardiovascular elements of SIRS. FASEB J, 23 (4 Suppl): LB76, 2009.
Holowatz LA, Thompson-Torgerson CS, and Kenney WL. Arginase inhibition augments reflex cutaneous vasodilation in essential hypertensive humans. FASEB J, 21(6): A1299, 2007.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Bailey SR, Mitra S, Wigley FM, and Flavahan NA. RhoA and Rho kinase activity is increased in scleroderma microvascular smooth muscle cells. FASEB J, 21(6): A1372, 2007.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Holowatz LA, and Kenney WL. Rho kinase-mediated cold-induced vasoconstriction is augmented in aged skin. FASEB J, 21(6): A1298, 2007.
Holowatz LA, Thompson CS, and Kenney WL. Increasing nitric oxide availability through antioxidants and arginase inhibition augments reflex vasodilation in aged skin. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 38(5 Suppl): S354, 2006.
Holowatz LA, Thompson CS, and Kenney WL. Increasing NO bioavailability through L-arginine supplementation or arginase inhibition augments reflex cutaneous vasodilation in aged skin. FASEB J, 20(5): A1401-1402, 2006.
Thompson CS and Kenney WL. Altered vasoconstriction responses during norepinephrine infusion during local cooling in aged skin. FASEB J, 19(5): A1218-1219, 2005.
Thompson CS and Kenney WL. Age, body mass index, and reflex-mediated cutaneous vasoconstriction. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 36(5 Suppl): S38, 2004.
Thompson CS and Kenney WL. Sympathetically-mediated reflex vasoconstriction in aged skin. FASEB J, 18(5): A1100, 2004.
Journal Articles
Holowatz LA, Thompson-Torgerson CS, and Kenney WL. Aging and the control of human skin blood flow. Front Biosci, 15: 718-739, 2010.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Champion HC, Santhanam L, Harris ZL, and Shoukas AA. Cyclohexanone contamination from extracorporeal circuits impairs cardiovascular function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 296: H1926-1932, 2009.
Holowatz LA, Thompson-Torgerson CS, and Kenney WL. The cutaneous circulation as a model of generalized microvascular function. J Appl Physiol, 105: 370-372, 2008.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Holowatz LA, and Kenney WL. Altered mechanisms of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction in aged human skin. Exerc Sport Sci Rev, 36: 122-127, 2008.
Eid AH, Maiti K, Mitra S, Chotani MA, Flavahan S, Bailey SR, Thompson-Torgerson CS, and Flavahan NA. Estrogen increases smooth muscle expression of α2C-adrenoceptors and cold-induced constriction of cutaneous arteries. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 293: H1955-1961, 2007.
Holowatz LA, Thompson-Torgerson CS, and Kenney WL. Altered mechanisms of vasodilation in aged human skin. Exerc Sport Sci Rev, 35: 119-125, 2007.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Holowatz LA, Flavahan NA, and Kenney WL. Cold-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction is mediated by Rho kinase in vivo in human skin. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 292: H1700-1705, 2007.
Thompson-Torgerson CS, Holowatz LA, Flavahan NA, and Kenney WL. Rho kinase-mediated local cold-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction is augmented in aged human skin. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 293: H30-36, 2007.
Holowatz LA, Thompson CS, and Kenney WL. Acute ascorbate supplementation alone or combined with arginase inhibition augments reflex cutaneous vasodilation in aged human skin. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 291: H2967-2970, 2006.
Holowatz LA, Thompson CS, and Kenney WL. L-arginine supplementation or arginase inhibition augments reflex cutaneous vasodilation in aged human skin. J Physiol 574(2): 573-581, 2006.
Holowatz LA, Thompson CS, Minson CT, and Kenney WL. Mechanisms of acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in young and aged skin. J Physiol 563(3): 965-973, 2005.
Thompson CS, Holowatz LA, and Kenney WL. Cutaneous vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine are attenuated in older humans. Am J Physiol Reg Int Comp Physiol 288(5): R1108-1113, 2005.
Thompson CS, Holowatz LA, and Kenney WL. Attenuated noradrenergic sensitivity during local cooling in aged human skin. J Physiol 564(1): 313-319, 2005.
Thompson CS and Kenney WL. Altered neurotransmitter control of reflex vasoconstriction in aged human skin. J Physiol 558(2): 697-704, 2004.
Honors and Awards
- Outstanding Instructor Award (Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Engineering for Professionals) (2019)
- Environmental & Exercise Physiology Section Military Physiology Award (The American Physiological Society) (2007)
- Institutional Kirchstein-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow (NIH; 4-year award) (2006)
- Caroline tum Suden/Frances A. Hellebrandt Professional Opportunity Award (The American Physiological Society) (2004)
Professional Organizations
The American Physiological Society
American College of Sports Medicine
Human Anatomy and Physiology Society