Michael Wells, PhD

Education

NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA
1979-1980
Postdoctoral Fellowship
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
1977-1979
Doctor of Philosophy
Medical Sciences – Neuroscience
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
1977

Bachelor of Science
Chemistry
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
1973

Professional Experience

2017 – Present: Assistant Dean of Integrated Curriculum
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine Southern Utah

2007 – 2017: Professor
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
2007 – 2017: Chair of Basic Sciences Department
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
2006 – 2007: Interim Associate Dean for Preclinical Education
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
2004 – 2006: Associate Professor
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
2002 – 2003: Director, Center on Aging
Deaconess Billings Clinic

1999 – 2002: Professor and Chair of Biomechanics and Bioengineering
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
1997 – 2002: Scientific Director
Adele Smithers Parkinsons Disease Treatment Center
1995 – 2002: Director of Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
1995 – 2001: Associate Professor of Neuroscience
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
1993 – 1994: Director, Neurological Research
Institute of Molecular Biology
1990 – 1993: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
State University of New York
1989 – 1993: Principal Investigator, Nerve Regeneration Research Laboratory
Veterans Administration Hospital
1989 – 1991: Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
1988 – 1989: Adjunct Associate Professor
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
1985 – 1989: Director, Research Electron Microscopic Facility
Veterans Administration Hospital
1982 – 1989: Chief, Neuroscience Research Laboratory
Veterans Administration Medical Center
1981 – 1989: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology
George Washington University
1980 – 1982: Research Chemist, Laboratory of CNS Regeneration
Veterans Administration Medical Center
1977 – 1979: Adjunct Instructor, Department of Neuroscience
University of Florida

Service and Contributions

Miscellaneous

Strategic Planning Committee, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (2007-2017)
Self Study Committee, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (2005-2017)
Curriculum Committee, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (2004-2017)
Chairman, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (2004-2017)
Chair, Rank, Promotions, and Retention Committee, Touro University Nevada (2005-2009)
Human Studies Subcommittee, NYCOM (1999-2001)
President, Faculty Senate, NYCOM (1996-1999)
Safety Committee Chairman, Institute of Molecular Biology (1993-1994)
Biohazard Committee, Veterans Administration (1991-1993)
Safety Subcommittee, Veterans Administration (1990-1993)
Human Studies Subcommittee, Veterans Administration (1990-1992)
Chairman, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Veterans Administration (1987-1989)
Research and Development Committee, Veterans Administration (1982-1985, 1987-1989)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Veterans Administration (1985-1987)

Honors and Awards

Teacher of the Year Award
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
2005
George W. Northrop Medical Writing Award
American Osteopathic Association
1999
George W. Northrop Medical Writing Award
American Osteopathic Association
1998
Superior Performance Award
Veterans Administration
1985
Superior Performance Award
Veterans Administration
1984
NSF Predoctoral Fellowship
University of Florida
1974-1977
Graduate Council Fellowship
University of Florida
1973-1974
High Honors
University of Florida
1973
Martin-Marietta Scholarship
University of Florida
1969-1973
Board of Regents Scholarship
University of Florida
1969

Publications and Presentations

Publications

Singh U, Gill M, Rice R, Dimaano F, Warburton A, and Wells MR (2016). Time of Day and Performance on Cognitive Tests in Patients with Mild Dementia. Journal of Alzheimers Disease and Parkinsonism, 2: 003
Marreez, YM, Wells, M.R., Eisen, A., Rosenberg, L., Park, D, Schaller, F., Turner, J., and Krishna, R. (2013) Towards Integrating Basic and Clinical Sciences: Our Experience at Touro University Nevada. Medical Science Educator, 23 (4) 595-606.
Marreez, YM, Willems, LN, Wells, MR (2010): The role of medical museums in the contemporary medical education. Science Education, 3:249-253.
Burns, D.K. and Wells, M.R. The effect of muscle energy technique on gross range of motion in the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects. Journal of American Osteopathic Association, 106: 137-142. (2006).
Rivera-Martinez,S. Wells, M. R., and Capobianco, J.D. A retrospective study of cranial strain patterns in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Journal of American Osteopathic Association, 2002 102: 417-22. (2002).
Wells, M.R. Biomechanics: An Osteopathic Perspective. In “Foundations for Osteopathic Medicine” 2nd Edition, Lippincott , Willaims &Wilkins Philadelphia . p 63-89. (2002).
Scandalis, T.A., Bosak, A., Berliner, J.C., Helman, L.L., and Wells, M.R. Resistance training and gait function in patients with Parkinson’s disease. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 80: 38-43 (2001).
Wells, M.R., Vaidya, U., Ricci, J.L. and Christie, C. A neuromuscular platform to extract motor signal information from lesioned nerves. A Technical Note. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 38: 385-390. (2001).
Hallas, B.H. and Wells, M.R. A Novel Technique for Multiple Injections into the Mammalian Optic Nerve. Kopf Carrier (online) 54: (2001).
Wells MR (1999). The dilemma of publishing OMT studies in JAOA (letter). Journal of American Osteopathic Association, 99: 339-340.
Wells, M. R., Giantinoto, S., D’Agate,D., Areman, D., Fazzini, E. A., Dowling, D., A. Bosak, B.S. Osteopathic manipulative treatment acutely improves functional gait performance in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Journal of American Osteopathic Association, 99: 92-98 (1999)
Kraus, K.H., Welch, J.A., Levy, W.J., Gugino, V.D., Wells, M.R. Motor evoked potentials in partially regenerated rat sciatic nerve suggest central nervous system plastic changes. Neurology, 143: 18-24. (1997)
Hallas, B., Lehman, S., Bosak, A. Tierney, S., Galler, R., Jacovina, P., Scandalis, T. and Wells, M. Behavioral Parameters for the Evaluation of Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy in a Rat Model of Arthritis. Journal of American Osteopathic Association, 97: 207-214 (1997).
Wells, R., Kraus,K., Batter, D.K., Blunt, D.G., Weremowitz ,J., Lynch,S. E., Antoniades H.N. and Hansson, .H. (1997). A.Gel matrix vehicles for growth factor application in nerve gap injuries repaired with tubes: A comparison of Biomatrix, collagen and methylcellulose. Experimental Neurology, 146: 395-402
Welch, J.A. Kraus, K.H., Wells, M.R., Blunt, D.G., Weremowitz, J. Effect of combined administration of insulin-like growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor on the regeneration of transected and anastomosed sciatic nerve in rat. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 58: 1033-1037 (1997).
Strasberg S.R., Watanabe O., Mackinnon S.E., Tarasidis G., Hertl M.C., Wells, M.R. Wire mesh as a post-operative physiotherapy assistive device following peripheral nerve graft repair in the rat. Journal of Peripheral Nervous System, 1:73-6 (1996).
Duncan, I.D., Nadon, N.L., Hoffman, R.L., Lunn, K.F., Csiza, C., and Wells, M.R. Oligodendrocyte survival and function in the long lived strain of the myelin deficient rat. Journal of Neurocytology, 24: 745-762 (1995).
Wells, M.R., Vaidya, U. and Schwartz, J.P. Bilateral phasic increases in dorsal root ganglia nerve growth factor after unilateral sciatic nerve crush. Experimental Brain Research, 101: 53-58 (1994).
Wells, M.R. and Vaidya, U. RNA Transcription in Axotomized Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. Brain Research, 27: 163-166 (1994).
Vaidya, U. and Wells, M.R. Fetal spinal cord overlays: Incorporation and differentiation in adult host spinal cord. Neurology, 23-24 165-178 (1993)
Wells, M.R., Racis, S. P. and Vaidya, U. Changes in plasma cytokines associated with peripheral nerve injury. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 39: 261-268 (1992).
Zanakis, M.F., Hallas, B., Cebelenski, R., Yoon, H.S. and Wells, M.R. Construction of a microelectrode probe device for interfacing with the nervous system. Kopf Carrier 33: 1-6. (1992).
Diehl, A. M., Wells, M.R., Thorgeirsson, S.S., Brown, N., and Steer, C.J. Effect of Ethanol on polyamine synthesis during liver regeneration in rats. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 85: 385-390. (1990).
Wells, M.R., and Vaidya, U. Morphological alterations in dorsal root ganglion neurons after peripheral axon injury: Association with changes in metabolism. Neurology, 104: 32-38. (1989).
Vaidya, U. and Wells, M.R. Cross-Species grafting and cell culture of Rhesus monkey fetal spinal cord and cerebral cortex. Brain Research, 78: 115-123 (1988).
Wells, M.R., Changes of ornithine decarboxylase activity in dorsal root ganglion cells after axon injury: Possible relationship to changes in chromatin structure. Neurology, 95: 313-0322. (1987).
Powel, A.M., Wells, M.R., Timmers, K.I. and Recant, L., Autoradiographic localization of [3H]-guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid binding sites in rat islets of Langerhans. Life Sciences, 40: 2511-2513. (1987).
Timmers, K.I., Voyles, N.R., King, C., Wells, M., Fartile, R. and Recant, L. Opioid peptides in rat islets of Langerhans. Immunoreactive Met- and Leu-Enkephalins and BAM-22P. Diabetes, 35: 52-57. (1986).
Wells, M.R. Autoradiographic measurement of relative changes in ornithine decarboxylase in axotomized superior cervical ganglion neurons. Neurology, 92: 445-450. (1986).
Timmers, K., Voyles, N.R., King, C., Wells, M., Fartile, R. and Recant, L. Rat islet endocrine cells contain Met- and leu-enkephalins in high and low-molecular-weight forms. In “Neural and endocrine peptides and receptors” (Fifth International George Washington University Spring Symposium). Moody, Ed., Plenum Press, (1986). pp. 581-598.
Patel, U., Wells, M.R. and Freed, W.J. The dissociation and survival of rat and monkey adrenal chromaffin cells transplanted into rat brain. Cell and Tissue Research, 240: 281-285. (1985).
Wells, M.R. and Hall, M.F. Neuronal chromatin changes in layer V pyramidal cells of somatomotor cortex after pyramidal tract lesions as demonstrated b y [3H] actinomycin D binding. Neurology, 87: 393-402. (1985).
Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, J.J. Scar formation and the barrier hypothesis in the failure of mammalian CNS regeneration. In “Trauma of the Central Nervous System” (R. G. Dacey, Jr. et al. Eds.) Raven Press, New York. 245-257. (1985).
Recant, L., Voyles, N.R., Timmers, K.I., Awoke, S., Bhathena, S.J. and Wells, M.R. Tissue opiate levels in hyper-and hypo-insulinemic animal models. Proceedings of Symposium on Opiate Peptides in the Periphery. Elsevier Publishing, N.Y. 271-281. (1985).
Thadani, P.V. and Wells, M.R. Histofluorescent evaluation of the development of sympathetic nerve fibers in hearts of rats exposed to ethanol. Neuropharmacology, 23: 1075-1079. (1984).
Wells, M.R. Alteration of [3H] actinomycin D binding to axotomized dorsal root ganglion cell nuclei: An autoradiographic method to detect changes in chromatin structure and RNA synthesis. Neurology, 86: 303-312. (1984).
Wells, M.R. Neurochemistry of synaptic renewal. In “Spinal Cord Reconstruction” (C.Kao, R. Bunge, and P. Reir, Eds.) 197-208. (1983).
Bernstein, J.J., Ganchrow, D. and Wells, M.R. Spinal cord injury results in alteration of brain microcircuitry. In ” Nervous System Regeneration” (A. Giuffrida-Stella, Haber, G. Hashim, J.R. Perez-Polo, Eds. ) Alan R. Liss, Inc., N.Y. pp. 197-208. (1983).
Bernstein, J.J. and Wells, M.R. [3H] lysine incorporation into protein of hemisected cycloheximide treated spinal cord. Neurology, 80: 549-560. (1983).
Wells, M.R. The devil, genetics, microenvironment and hope. Regeneration Research Newsletter (Veterans Administration), In 15-83-4: 3-6. (1983).
Wells, M.R. Chemical induction of central nervous system regeneration: its past and future. Paraplegia News, 37: (1983)
Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, J.J. Sonication enhanced histochemistry of wheat germ agglutinin binding to intracellular sites of rat layer V cortical neurons and spinal motoneurons. Neuroscience Research, 7: 253-266. (1982).
Wells, M.R. and Sprinkle, T.J. Purification of rat 2′, 3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase. Neurochemistry, 36: 633-639. (1981).
Bernstein, J.J., Ganchrow, D., and Wells, M.R. Neurochemistry of synaptic renewal. In “Plasticity in the Nervous System” (D.Fhlor and W. Precht, Eds.) 75-86. (1981).
Wells, M.R., Lofton, S.A. and Bernstein, J.J. Influence of triiodothyronine on the amino acid uptake of brain and spinal cord in normal and spinal hemisected adult rats. Neuroscience Research, 6: 609-620. (1981).
Wells, M.R., Separation of radiolabelled protein from brain and spinal cord of spinal hemisected rats on SDS polyacrylamide slab gels. Neuroscience Research, 5: 51-62. (1980).
Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, J.J. Amino acid uptake in the spinal cord and brain of the long term spinal hemisected rat. Neurology, 68: 122-135. (1980).
Bernstein, J.J. and Wells, M.R. Puromycin induction of transient regeneration in mammalian spinal cord. Brain Research, 53: 21-38. (1980).
Sprinkle, T.J., Wells, M.R., Garver, F.A. and Smith, D.B. Studies on the Wolfgram high molecular weight CNS myelin proteins: Relationship to 2′, 3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase. Neurochemistry, 35: 1200-1208. (1980).
Bernstein, J.J., Wells, M.R., and Bernstein, M.E. Mammalian spinal cord regeneration: synaptic renewal and neurochemistry. In “Neuronal Plasticity” (C. Cotman, Ed. ) Raven Press, N.Y., pp. 49-71. (1978).
Bernstein, J.J., Bernstein, M.E., and Wells, M.R. Spinal cord regeneration in mammals: Neuroanatomical and neurochemical correlates of axonal sprouting. In ” Physiology and Pathobiology of Axons: (S.G. Waxman, Ed.) Raven Press, N.Y. pp. 407-420. (1978).
Bernstein, J.J., Wells, M.R., and Bernstein, M.E. Effects of puromycin treatment on the regeneration of hemisected and transected rat spinal cord. Journal of Neurocytology, 7: 215-228 (1978).
Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, J.J. Amino acid incorporation into rat spinal cord and brain after simultaneous and interval sciatic nerve lesions. Brain Research, 139: 249-262. (1978).
Zanakis, M., Wells, M.R., and Bernstein, J.J. Incorporation of tritiated lysine into the brain and spinal cord of Cebus apella and Macacca mulata. Neuroscience Research, 3: 73-80. (1978).
Wells, M.R., Zanakis, M.F. and Bernstein, J.J. Blood-brain barrier disturbance and reconstitution after spinal cord hemisection in the rat. Neurology, 61: 214-218. (1978).
Bernstein, J.J., Wells, M.R. and Zanakis, M.F. Effects of puromycin on incorporation of [3H] lysine into protein following hemisection of rat spinal cord. Neurology, 61: 537-548. (1978).
Wells, M.R. Protein composition of spinal cord and cortex from short-term spinal hemisected rats. Neurology, 62: 708-719. (1978).
Bernstein, J.J. and Wells, M.R. Amino acid incorporation alteration in medulla, pons, midbrain, and cortex following spinal cord hemisection in the Cebus monkey (Cebus apella). Brain Research, 112: 475-483. (1977).
Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, J.J. Amino acid uptake in the spinal cord and brain of the short term spinal hemisected rat. Neurology, 57: 900-912. (1977).
Wells, M. R. and Bernstein, J.J. Early changes in protein synthesis following spinal cord hemisection in the Cebus monkey (Cebus apella). Brain Research, 111: 31-40. (1976).
Bernstein, J.J., Wells, M.R. and Bernstein, M.E. Dendrites and neuroglia following hemisection of rat spinal cord: Effects of puromycin. Neurology, 12: 437-451 (1975).

Research and Studies

Principal Investigator: Neuroimaging of Language Pathways in Autistic Children, Local TUN Grant, $10,100 (2008-2009)
Co- Investigator “A Mechanical/Neural Limb Prosthetic Interface,” National Institutes of Health STTR, $527,160 (2002-2005)
Principal Investigator, “Efficacy of a Neural Interface for Potential Use in Limb Prosthetics,” National Science Foundation, $330,945 (1998-2001)
Co-Investigator, “Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy on Locomotor Ability after Neocortical Injury in Rats,” American Osteopathic Association, $20,900 (1999-2001)
Co-Investigator, “Osteopathic Manipulation therapy in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease,” American Osteopathic Association, $55,865 (1998-1999)
Co-Investigator, “An Animal model for quantitative evaluation of osteopathic manipulation in adjuvant induced arthritis,” American Osteopathic Association” (renewal), $13,845 (1998-1999)
Co-Investigator, “ The Effect of OMT on Range of Motion in the Arthritic Knee,” American Osteopathic Association”( renewal), $31,700 (1998-1999)
Co-Investigator, “ The Effect of OMT on Range of Motion in the Arthritic Knee” American Osteopathic Association” (pilot project )- $5,000 (1996-1997)
Co-Investigator, “An Animal model for quantitative evaluation of osteopathic manipulation in adjuvant induced arthritis” American Osteopathic Association” – $25,000 (1995-1996)
Co- Investigator, “ Development of an Animal Model to Detect the efficacy and Beneficial Effects of Manipulative Therapy on Joint Inflammation” American Osteopathic Association”- $ 25,000 (1993-1994)
Principal Investigator, “Neuronal Interaction with Cell Environment in CNS and PNS Regeneration” Veterans Administration. -$403,600 (1989-1993)
Principal Investigator, “The Neuronal Nuclear Response in Nervous System Regeneration” Veterans Administration,- $289,484 (1985-1988)
Principal Investigator, “The Neuronal Nuclear Response in Nervous System Regeneration” Veterans Administration. – $144,055 (1982-1984)

Patents:

“A Device to Promote Drug-Induced Nerve Regeneration,” Institute of Molecular Biology (1994)

Biographical Information

Dr. Wells graduated magma cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry in 1973. He earned a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University of Florida in 1977. After two postdoctoral fellowships, he became a principal investigator in central nervous system injury for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.

In 1989, Dr. Wells joined the faculty of the N. Y. College of Osteopathic Medicine to teach in their neuroscience program, and continued research through the Veterans Administration at Northport, N.Y. After a brief venture into private industry, Dr. Wells returned to the NYCOM and began collaborations with osteopathic physicians to examine the effects of manipulative treatment on patients with Parkinson disease. Dr. Wells joined Touro University Nevada in 2004 as head of the Neuroscience program and later Interim Associate Dean for Preclinical Education. He served as Chairman of the Department of Basic Sciences for ten years before joining Rocky Vista University as Assistant Dean of the Integrated Curriculum in 2017.

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