Dr. David Gibbons teaches in the Physician Assistant program at Milligan University and serves as the Assessment Coordinator. His research interests focus on the nervous system’s control of the heart, peripheral neuronal signaling, and the use of echocardiography. One significant project during his doctoral studies explored the heart’s response to ischemia and how modulating the transmission of that response to the brain can reduce the severity of the heart’s reaction to ischemia.

Dr. Gibbons has published several journal articles on spinal cord stimulation modulation of afferent, interneuron, and efferent neuronal responses to ischemia in the heart, as well as on peripheral afferent neuronal mechanisms for sensing ischemia or exercise-induced by-products.

Dr. Gibbons grew up in the Christian church in the western suburbs of Chicago. After being baptized in junior high, he continued to grow in his faith throughout his high school years. He knew he wanted to attend Milligan for his undergraduate experience because it offered the perfect blend of scientific learning and opportunities to continue growing in his faith.

Having attended Milligan as an undergrad, Dr Gibbons loves that he has been called to return and help teach the next generation of medical providers. Due to the faculty comradery and the connections with the students, he feels that being part of Milligan feels like being with family.

Education:
BS, Biology with minors in Chemistry and Math, Milligan College, 2003
PhD, Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Pharmacology, East Tennessee State University
Post-Doctoral Scholarship, University of Iowa