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Jay Brewster Faculty Profile

Jay Brewster

Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Pepperdine University
Professor of Biology
Natural Science Division, Seaver College
TAC 404

Biography

Jay Brewster is provost and chief academic officer of Pepperdine University and a professor of biology at Seaver College in Malibu, California. He is a teacher, research scientist, and advocate for undergraduate research programs. He has taught in the Natural Science Division at Pepperdine University since 1997. He earned his BSE degree at Lubbock Christian University and the PhD in biochemistry and cell biology from Rice University. He was awarded the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence in 2006, and was named the Frank R. Seaver Professor of Natural Science in 2010. His research efforts focus upon signal transduction pathways that regulate cell survival and apoptosis. He has mentored over 100 undergraduate research students in his laboratory resulting in undergraduate-authored publications and conference presentations. His research group is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, and by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Brewster currently serves as director of the NSF-funded summer undergraduate research in biology (SURB) program at Pepperdine.

Education

  • PhD, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, 1993
  • BA, Science Education, Lubbock Christian University, 1989

 

  • Brewster, JL (2017), Signaling hubs at ER/mitochondrial membrane associations, AIMS Biophysics, 4(2): 222-239.
  • Lumley EM*, Osborn AR*, Scott JE*, Scholl AG*, Mercado V*, McMahan YT*, Coffman ZG*, and JL Brewster (2017), Moderate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Activates a PERK and p38-dependent apoptosis, Cell Stress and Chaperones, 22(1): 43-54.
  • Brewster JL and MC Gustin (2014), The HOG1 kinase: Twenty Years of Discovery and Impact, Science Signaling, 7(343): 1-10.
  • Murphy LA*, Ramirez EA*, Trinh VT*, Herman AM*, Anderson VC*, and JL Brewster (2011), Endoplasmic reticulum stress or mutation of an EF-hand Ca2+-binding domain directs the FKBP65 rotamase to an ERAD-based proteolysis, Cell Stress and Chaperones, 16(6): 607-619.
  • Brewster JL (2011), A Life in Science: Book Review of "Breaking Through the Spiral Ceiling" by Laura L Mays Hoopes, CBE Life Sciences Education, 10:237-238. (published again in CBE Life Sciences Education "Highlights of 2011 Edition")
  • Loucks FA*, Shcroeder EK, Zommer A, Hilger S*, Kelsey NA, Bouchard RJ, Blackstone C, Bouchard RJ, Blackstone C, Brewster JL, DA Linseman (2009), Caspases indirectly regulate cleavage of the mitochondrial fusion GTPase OPA1 in neurons undergoing apoptosis, Brain Research, 1250:63-74.
  • Baggato B, Brewster JL, Burggren W, and L Hester (1st Ed. 2002, 2nd Ed. 2004, 3rd Ed 2007), Biological Sciences: Review/Study Guide, Prentice Hall Publishers, New York. Chapters 9 through 20; genetics and developmental biology.
  • Brewster JL, Linseman DA, Bouchard RJ, Loucks FA*, Precht TA, Esch EA*, and KA Heidenreich (2006), Trophic factor withdrawal and endoplasmic reticulum stress generate distinct signals that converge at GSK-3? to trigger mitochondrial apoptosis in neurons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 32: 242-253.
  • Niederer* K, Morrow* D, Gettings* J, Irick* M, Krawiecki* A, and JL Brewster (2005), Cypermethrin blocks a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signal initiated by deficient N-linked glycosylation within the endoplasmic reticulum. Cellular Signalling, 17(2):177-86.
  • Brewster JL, Beason KB, Eckdahl TT, and IM Evans (2004), The Microarray Revolution: Perspectives from Educators, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 32(4):217-227.
  • Runner* VM, and JL Brewster (2003), A genetic screen for yeast genes induced by sustained osmotic stress, Yeast, 20:913-920.
  • Brewster JL, Martin SL, Toms J, Goss D, Wang K, Zachrone K, Davis A., Carlson G, Hood L, and JD Coffin (2000), Deletion of Dad1 in mice induces an apoptosis-associated embryonic death, Genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development, 26:271-278.
  • Brewster JL, O'Moore J, and WR Crain (1999), Use of enhanced differential display to identify gene expression differences in male and female mouse genital ridges, Oocytes and Embryos: A comparative methods approach to the study of oocytes and embryos, Oxford University Press, pp. 157-169.
  • Schuller C, Brewster JL, Alexander M, Gustin MC, and H Ruis (1994), The HOG pathway controls osmotic regulation of transcription via the stress response element (STRE) of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CTT1 gene, The EMBO Journal, 13:4382-4389.
  • Brewster JL, and MC Gustin (1994), Positioning of cell growth and division after osmotic stress requires a MAP kinase pathway, Yeast, 10:425-439.
  • Brewster JL, de Valoir T, Dwyer* N Winter E, and MC Gustin (1993), An osmosensing signal transduction pathway in yeast, Science, 259:1760-1763.

(* denotes undergraduate research student)

  • Frank R. Seaver Professor in Natural Science, 2010-2015
  • Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence (Pepperdine Univ.) - 2006
  • Seaver College Research Fellow, Pepperdine University (1999-2000, 2001-2002)
  • Divisional Dean of Natural Science (8/2018-present) Pepperdine University
  • Associate Provost (1/09 to 8/2018) Pepperdine University
  • Professor of Biology (8/07 to present): Pepperdine University, Natural Science Division, Malibu, California.
  • Visiting Scholar (1/04-6/04): University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology, Denver, CO - Sabbatical leave from Pepperdine, UC lab of Kim Heidenreich.
  • Associate Professor (8/01 to present): Pepperdine University, Natural Science Division, Malibu, California.
  • Assistant Professor (8/97 to present): Pepperdine University, Natural Science Division, Malibu, California.
  • Research Associate (12/95 - 8/97): Stowers Consortium Project, McLaughlin Research: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Great Falls MT, laboratories of George Carlson and Doug Coffin.
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (10/93 - 11/95): McLaughlin Research: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Great Falls MT, laboratory of William Crain.
  • Biotechnology Intern (7/93 - 10/93): Transgenic Systems Inc., Bozeman MT

Presentations (Public Speaking):

  • Brewster JL (Nov 3, 2017), Transforming Opportunities in Undergraduate Research, California State University, Dominguez Hills, seminar/panel discussion.
  • Brewster JL (Sept 22, 2017), Signaling between Organelles, Oklahoma Christian University, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (Sept 25, 2017), Signaling between Organelles, Abilene Christian University, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (Oct 18, 2017), Scientific Progress and Christian Belief, Pepperdine Veritas Forum, Seminar presentation/discussion).
  • Brewster JL (Jan 17, 2017), Stress signaling from the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Implications for Disease Progression, Huntington Medical Research Institute.
  • Brewster JL (Jan 5, 2016), Student Instruction and Assessment in the STEM Disciplines: Developing Skills for Collegiate Success, YouthBuild Charter, Professional Development Session, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (Feb 17, 2016), Faith and Science, Pepperdine Veritas Forum, Seminar presentation/discussion.
  • Brewster JL (June 4, 2015), Breakthroughs in Science, Session Chairperson, Christian Scholars Conference, Abilene Christian University.
  • Brewster JL (March 11, 2014), The HOG1 kinase: twenty years of surprises, Natural Science Division Seminar Series, Pepperdine University, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (June 5, 2014), The CRISPR revolution in genome editing, Christian Scholars Conference, Lipscomb University, Seminar Presentation.
  • Brewster JL (June 5, 2014), Breakthroughs in Science, Session Chairperson, Christian Scholars Conference Abilene Christian University.
  • Brewster JL (10 May 2014), Your Genes, Your Health, Your Ancestors, Great Ideas and Conversations Workshop, Pepperdine University, Full day workshop with Pepperdine Board of Visitors.
  • Brewster JL (11 April 2014), The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Research Experiences for Undergraduates Workshop, National Science Foundation, Washington DC.
  • Brewster JL (Feb 2014), Departments as units of change in undergraduate research engagement, Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Conference, (Cal State Pomona), Council for Undergraduate Research (speaker and session leader)
  • Brewster JL (May 2, 2012), Apoptosis activation via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor within the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, California Lutheran University, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster J (October 2012),, Stress-induced proteolysis of the FKBP65 foldase, East Los Angeles College: Chemistry Speaker Series, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (May 3, 2010), ER stress and trophic factor withdrawal signals converge upon glycogen synthase kinase-3b to activate neuronal apoptosis, University of Denver, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (2009), Signaling Cell Death: Apoptosis from the Endoplasmic Reticulum
  • California State Polytechnic University- Pomona, Department of Biology (3/2009)
  • Brewster, JL (2006), Historical Eugenics, California State University – Northridge, Seminar presentation.
  • Brewster JL (2006), Teaching regulated gene expression using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a LacZ-based reporter library, Pomona College-Teaching and Research with Simple Eukaryotes Workshop, Seminar presentation.

Conference Presentations:

  • Stenz* EC, Duff* JD, King* B, Mann J, and JL Brewster (2017), The effects of carbon black on mitochondrial motility and fission in human bronchial epithelial cells, American Society for Cell Biology/European Molecular Biology Organization (joint meeting), Philadelphia, PA.
  • Tolar* J, and JL Brewster (2017), Investigation of non-canonical activation of p38 during endoplasmic reticulum stress. American Society for Cell Biology/European Molecular Biology Organization (joint meeting), Philadelphia, PA.
  • Swift C, Davis SD, Kats LB, Brewster JL, Honeycutt RL, Vetrone S, and H Valenzuela (2017), First-year Students as Scholars: Engaging students in authentic research their first semester in college improves retention in STEM, Ecological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Abst 65558.
  • Duff* J.D., LaFerney*B.K., Jones* C.Y., McClatchey P.M., and JL Brewster (2016), Carbon Black Exposure Induces Alterations in Mitochondrial Morphology in Human Lung Cells: A Software-Based Quantitative Analysis, American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, Abstract P6491.
  • Jones* C, Calixto* A, Manes* E, Blair* E, Alvarado* S, and JL Brewster (2016), Nanoparticle-induced stress leads to elevated reactive oxygen species, punctate mitochondria, and apoptosis in human lung cells. West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference, Point Loma Nazarene.
  • Rector* J, and JL Brewster (2016), The effects of heat shock preconditioning on protein induction and cell survival after nanoparticle exposure, West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference, Point Loma Nazarene.
  • Brewster JL (2016), Student Instruction and Assessment in the STEM Disciplines: Developing Skills for Collegiate Success, YouthBuild Charter, Professional Development Session, 5 Jan 2016.
  • Jones CY, Calixto A, Manes B, Blair EJ, Alvarado SK, and JL Brewster (2015), Nanoparticle-induced stress leads to elevated reactive oxygen species, punctate mitochondria, and apoptosis in human lung cells, American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, P1489.
  • Jones CY, Calixto A, Manes B, Blair EJ, Alvarado SK, and JL Brewster (2015), Nanoparticle-induced stress leads to elevated reactive oxygen species, punctate mitochondria, and apoptosis in human lung cells, Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Oral Presentation: B470.
  • Brewster JL (2015), Breakthroughs in Science, Session Chairperson, Christian Scholars Conference, Abilene Christian University, 4 June 2015.
  • Barton S, Brewster JL, Selby G, and D Thompson (2015), Vocational Discernment and Action: Building Mentoring Communities for Students, Faculty, and Staff through International Retreats and Faith Conversation, Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Research (NetVUE) Conference, The Council of Independent Colleges, St. Louis MO, 28 March 2015.
  • Calixto, A, B. Manes, SK Alvarado, JL Brewster. 2014. Nanoparticle-induced stress signaling and apoptosis in diverse cell lines, American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, P1649.
  • Johnson, T.A.*, T.L. Vandergon, and J.L. Brewster. 2014. Calcium signaling in the unfolded protein response pathway, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Symposium at the UT Health Science Center, San Antonio.
  • Johnson, T.A.*, A. Scholl, Z.*, Coffman*, TL Vandergon, and JL Brewster. 2015. Inhibition of ER Ca2+ release or the p38 SAPK inhibits UPR signaling and apoptosis activation during moderate ER stress, 2015 Alpha Chi National Convention, Chicago, Illinois.
  • Johnson, T.A.*, A. Scholl, Z.*, Coffman*, T.L. Vandergon, and J.L. Brewster (2015). Inhibition of ER Ca2+ release or the p38 SAPK inhibits UPR signaling and apoptosis activation during moderate ER stress, The National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, Cheney, Washington.
  • National Science Foundation (2016-2019): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, DBI-1560352, $354,589
  • National Science Foundation (5/2016-8/2016): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, SUPPLEMENT $8,900, funding for return of SURB alumnus for a second summer of research - William Milligan
  • National Science Foundation (5/2015-8/2015): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, SUPPLEMENT $10,075, funding for return of SURB alumnus for a second summer of research - Caleb Stubbs
  • National Science Foundation (5/2014-8/2014): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, SUPPLEMENT $10,075, funding for return of SURB alumnus for a second summer of research - Blanca Perez
  • National Science Foundation (5/2013-8/2013): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, SUPPLEMENT $11,975, funding for return of SURB alumnus for a second summer of research
  • National Science Foundation (2011-2015): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Biological Adaptations to Stress – Molecular, Cellular, and Ecological" Principal Investigator, DBI-1062721, $460,900
  • National Institutes of Health (2008-12) R15: Academic Research Enhancement Award "Analysis of apoptotic signaling induced by the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum" – Principal Investigator, Awarded for 9/08, $162,375
  • National Science Foundation (2009-12): Major Research Instrumentation (MRI/RUI) – "Flow cytometry integration into the undergraduate laboratory curriculum"Co –Principle Investigator - DBI-0921524, $107,801
  • National Science Foundation (2005-10): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Undergraduate Research in Biology: A Way of Discovery", Co-Principal Investigator, DBI-0452587, $370,000
  • National Institutes of Health (2002-06) R15: Academic Research Enhancement Award "Characterization of OST-based activation of apoptosis" – Principal Investigator, $130,450.
  • National Science Foundation (2003): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU site grant), "Undergraduate Research in Biology: A Way of Discovery", Co-Principal Investigator, DBI-0243788, $70,000
  • Ralph M. Parsons Foundation - Equipment Grant (2003): An interdisciplinary equipment grant awarded to the Natural Science Division. The grant included funding for a new fluorescence microscope, digital camera, and imaging software. Co-principle investigator. Total grant award ~$150, 000.
  • National Science Foundation (2002): Major Research Inst. Grant (MRI/RUI - 0215516) "Acquisition of a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Instrument for Undergraduate Research and Teaching" – Co-Principal Investigator, DBI- 0215516, $111,635
  • National Science Foundation (2000): Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site grant "Undergraduate Research in Biology: A Way of Discovery";
  • Co-principal investigator, funded for three years - DBI 9987543, $150,000
  • National Institutes of Health, Postdoctoral Training Fellowship (1995): "Sex specific gene expression in early mouse embryos" - $79,000
  • (approved by NIH, but was not activated due to associateship offer from Stowers Institute)
  • National Institutes of Health, Predoctoral Training Fellowship (1991-1993) - $45,000

Topics

  • Cellular Signal Transduction
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Dysfunction
  • Cellular Signaling Responding to Nanoparticulate Pollution
  • Science Education

Courses

  • Genetics (BIOL350)
  • Microbiology (BIOL411)
  • The Biochemical Basis of Disease (BIOL492)
  • Advanced Cell Biology (BIOL411)
  • Genetics and Human Affairs (BIOL108)
  • The Cell Biology of Stress (First Semester Research, GSNS199)