The Department of Anesthesiology

Paul D. Allen, MD, PhD

Professor
Anesthesia Research Division

Paul D. Allen, MD, PhD has joined the department as Professor after having had a long career as a successful highly published clinician-scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. The focus of his basic and translational science has been on the studying and defining the mechanisms controlling excitation contraction (EC) coupling in skeletal muscle, specifically structure- function relationships of the ryanodine receptor and the interactions of the ryanodine receptor with other proteins in the triad. Much of this basic research has examined and defined the mechanisms causing susceptibility to Malignant Hyperthermia, a disease caused by mutations in EC coupling machinery which is triggered by exposure to volatile anesthetic agents.

In addition to his basic and translational lab research, a significant portion of his research career also focused on clinical research. In this regard, he worked with other anesthesiologists, fostered collaborations with many of his surgical colleagues, and served as a bridge between the clinic and basic science. He served on the IRB in Boston for 30 years and is currently an alternate member of the IRB at the UTGSM.

His current role in the Department of Anesthesiology research effort is primarily mentorship of both faculty and residents toward achievement of a higher level in their academic pursuits. This role specifically includes: helping with design and carrying out clinical research projects; preparation of grant applications; establishing relationships with foundations and pharma for grant support; and preparation of abstracts, presentations, and full length papers for presentation and/or publication regionally and nationally.

Current Presentations

Allen P. Malignant Hyperthermia-a Clinical Disaster and Scientific Delight. Presented at Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Grand Rounds; 2022 April-29; Virtual.

Snyder K, Keil T, Contreras C, Hartman A, Heidel RE, Allen P, Higdon R, Jeter J, Vanterpool S. Tennessee functional status questionnaire: A novel tool for functional status assessment. Presented at American Society of Anesthesiologists Conference; 2021 Oct 9-13; San Diego, CA.