Skip to Main Content

Diversity in Medicine and Science at Upstate

This subject guide celebrates diversity at Upstate Medical University by highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to Upstate's mission and to medicine and science in general.

Charles R. Ross PhD

Charles R. Ross PhD received his BA in pharmacy in 1952 and his MS in pharmacology in 1954 from the University of Kansas. He completed his PhD in pharmacology at the University of Michigan in 1963. He came to upstate as a postdoctoral fellow in 1963, studying under Alfred Farrah and he was accepted as an Advanced Research Fellow in 1964. Dr. Ross joined the Department of Pharmacology at Upstate as Assistant Professor in 1966 and was promoted to Associate Professor by 1970 and professor in 1978. In 1982, Dr. Ross became the first African American dean at Upstate when he was appointedportrait of Charles R. Ross MD by Brian O'Toole Makepeace (1992) to lead the College of Graduate Studies. He was also the first African American to serve as Vice President for Research, a position he was appointed to in 1988.

Dr. Ross was an accomplished researcher with interests in renal transport mechanism, renal physiology and pharmacology, aging, membrane properties and nephrotoxicity. Together with his long‐time collaborator, Dr. Peter D. Holohan, Dr. Ross pioneered the study of renal organic solute transport using the isolated membrane vesicle preparation. The significance of their research is suggested by over 30 consecutive years of funding by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ross’s esteem as an  investigator is further supported by an extensive history of service at the NIH reviewing grant applications, as well as serving on committees guiding the direction of research at the national level.

After his untimely death in 1989, Dr. Ross’s contributions to his field and the Department of Pharmacology were celebrated with the dedication of the Charles R. Ross Library (1990). His legacy at Upstate continues through the Charles R. Ross Memorial Student Research Day, begun in 1992, which features student poster sessions from the College of Graduate Studies. The Charles R. Ross Memorial Lecture series, held annually, features a keynote address from a speaker of national renown. 

Bibliography - Publications

  1. Wenzel, D.G. and Ross, C.R.:  Central stimulation properties of some terpenones.  J. Am. Pharmaceut.  Assoc.  46:  77-86, 1957. 
  2. Cafruny, E.J. and Ross, C.R.:  Involvement of the distal tubules in diuresis produced by benzothiadiazines.  J. Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  137:  324:328, 1962. 
  3. Ross, C.R. and Cafruny, E.J.:  Blockade of the diuretic action of benzothiadiazines.  J. Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  140:  125-132, 1963. 
  4. Ross, C.R. and Farah, A.:  PAH and NMN transport in dog renal slices, an evaluation of the countertransport hypothesis.  J. Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  151:  159-167, 1966. 
  5. Ross, C.R., Pessah, N. and Farah, A.:  Studies on the uptake and runout of PAH and NMN.  J. Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  160:  381-386, 1968. 
  6. Ross, CR., Pessah, N. and Farah, A.:  Inhibitory effects of β-haloalkylamines on the renal transport of N-methylnicotinamide.  J.  Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  160:  375-380, 1968. 
  7. Fondy, T.P., Levine, L., Sollohub, S.J. and Ross, C.R.:  Structural studies on NAD-linked L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase crystallized from rat skeletal muscle.  J.  Biol.  Chem.  243:  3148-3160, 1968. 
  8. Zins, G.R., Walk, R.A., Gussin, R.Z. and Ross, C.R.:  The diuretic activity of ethacrynic acid in rats.  J.  Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  163:  210-215, 1968. 
  9. Fondy, T.P., Ross, C.R.  and Sollohub, S.:  Structural studies on rabbit muscle glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and a comparison of chemicals and physical determination of the molecular weight.  J.  Biol.  Chem.  244:  1631-1644, 1969. 
  10. Ross, C.R., Pessah, N.I.  and Farah, A.E.:  Attempts to label the renal carrier for organic bases with Dibenamine.  J.  Pharm.  Exp.  Therap.  167:  235-242, 1969. 
  11. Ross, C.R., Curry, S., Schwartz, A.W. and Fondy, T.P.:  Multiple molecular forms of cytoplasmic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat liver.  Arch.  Biochem.  Biophys.  145:  591-603, 1971. 
  12. Fondy, T.P., Solomon, J. and Ross, C.R.:  Comparison of the cytoplasmic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat liver and muscle.  Arch.  Biochem.  Biophys.  145:  604-611, 1971. 
  13. Ross, C.R. and Weiner, I.M.:  Adenine nucleotides and PAH transport in slices of renal cortex:  Effect of DPN and CN.  Am.  J.  Physiol.  222:  356-359, 1972. 
  14. Ross, C.R.  and Pessah, N.I.:  Reversible inhibition of Na + K-ATPase with a cardiac glycoside.  Europ.  J. Physiol.  33:  223-226, 1975. 
  15. Ross, C.R., Chometry, F.D. and Roch, R.F.:  Renal excretion of N-methylnicotinamide in the rat.  Am.  J.  Physiol.  228(6):  1641-1645, 1975. 
  16. Li, J.J., Ross, C.R., Tepperman, H.M. and Tepperman, J.:  Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malic enzyme of rat liver.  J.  Biol.  Chem.  250:  141-148, 1975. 
  17. Holohan, P., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.:  Binding of PAH and NMN to a particular fraction of dog kidney.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Therap.  195:  22-33, 1975.
  18. Miller, T.B.  and Ross, C.R.:  Transport of organic cation and anions by choroid plexus.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Therap.  196:  771-777, 1976. 
  19. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.:  Binding of N-methylnicotinamide and p-aminohippuric acid to a particulate fraction from dog kidney.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Therap.  195:  22-23, 1975. 
  20. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I., Warkentin, D.  and Ross, C.R.:  The purification of an organic cation-specific binding protein from dog kidney.  Mol.  Pharmacol.  12:  494-503, 1976.
  21. Kinsella, J., Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I.  and Ross, C.R.:  Isolation of luminal and antiluminal membranes from dog kidney cortex.  Biochim.  Biophys.  Acta 552:  468-477, 1979. 
  22. Kinsella, J., Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I.  and Ross, C.R.:  Transport of organic ions in luminal and antiluminal membrane vesicles from dog kidney cortex.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  209:  443-450, 1979. 
  23. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.:  Reconstitution of N-Methylnicotinamide and p-aminohippuric acid transport in phospholipid vesicles with a protein fraction from dog kidney membranes.  Mol.  Pharmacol.  16:  343-356, 1979. 
  24. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Mechanisms of organic cation transport in kidney plasma membrane vesicles:  1.  Countertransport studies.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  215:  191-197, 1980. 
  25. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Mechanisms of organic cation transport in kidney plasma membrane vesicles:  2.  pH studies.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  216:  294-298, 1981. 
  26. Holohan, P.D., Kasher, J.S. and Ross, C.R.:  Sodium ion gradient stimulated transport of p-aminohippurate in dog kidney antiluminal plasma membrane vesicles.  Biochem.  Pharmacol.  in press. 
  27. Williams, P.D., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Gentamicin nephrotoxicity.  I.  Acute biochemical correlates in rat.  Toxicol.  Appl.  Pharmacol.  61:  234-242, 1981. 
  28. Williams, P.D., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Gentamicin nephrotoxicity:  II.  Plasma membrane changes.  Toxicol.  Appl.  Pharmacol.  61:  243-251, 1981. 
  29. Kasher, J.S., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Na+-gradient-dependent PAH transport in rat basolateral membrane vesicles.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  225:  122-129, 1983. 
  30. Kasher, J.S., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Effect of cephaloridine on the transport of organic ions in dog kidney plasma membrane vesicles.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  225:  606-610, 1983. 
  31. Ross, C.R. and Holohan, P.D.  Transport of organic anions and cations in isolated renal plasma membranes.  Ann.  Rev.  Pharmacol.  Toxicol., July 1983. 
  32. Williams, P.D., Trimble, M.E., Crespo, L., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Inhibition of renal Na+-K+-ATPase by gentamicin.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  231:  248-253, 1984. 
  33. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Electroneutral transport of organic cations in Canine renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  233:  694, 1985. 
  34. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Essential disulfide and sulfhydryl groups for organic cation transport in renal brush-border membranes.  J.  Biol.  Chem.  261:  3282-3287, 1986. 
  35. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Essential disulfide and sulfhydryl groups for organic anions transport in renal brush border membranes.  Biochim.  Biophys.  Acta, 862:  335-342, 1986. 
  36. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  N,N`-Dicylohexylcarbodiimide inactivates proton coupled organic cation in renal brush border membranes.  J. Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  243:  455-459, 1987. 
  37. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Renal transport of organic cation and anions.  Drug Topics, in press. 
  38. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  p-Aminohippurate (PAH) and urate transport in dog kidney plasma membrane vesicles.  J. Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther., 1985. 
  39. Holohan, P.D., Elliott, W.C., Grace, E. and Ross, C.R.:  Effect of parathyroid hormone on gentamicin plasma membrane binding and tissue accumulation.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther., in press. 
  40. Holohan, P.D., Sokol, P.P. and Ross, C.R.:  Disulfide and sulfhydryl groups are essential of organic cation transport in renal brush border membranes.  INSERM Symposium Brush Border Membrane and Sodium-Coupled Transport, Elsevier Science Publishers:  Amsterdam, Netherlands, 291-294, 1986. 
  41. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Isolation of the organic cation transporter from the dog kidney brush border membrane.  Submitted to J. Biol.  Chem. 
  42. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  The neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) are substrates for the organic cation transporter in renal brush border membrane vesicles.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther.  242:  152-157, 1987. 
  43. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Arginyl and histidyl groups are essential for organic anion exchange in renal brush-border membrane vesicles.  J.  Biol.  Chem.  263:  7118-7123, 1988. 
  44. Steffens, T.G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Valinomycin as a ionophoric zero voltage clamp.  Trends in Pharmacologic Science, in review, 1987. 
  45. Steffens, T.G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Operational modes of the organic anion exchanger in canine renal brush border membrane vesicles.  Am.  J.  Physiol, in press. 
  46. Grassl, S.M., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  HCO3 transport in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex.  J.  Clin.  Biol.  Chem.  262:  2682-2687, 1987. 
  47. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D., Grassl, S.M. and Ross, C.R.:  Proton-coupled organic cation transport in renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  Biochim.  Biophys.  Acta 940:  209-218, 1988
  48. Sokol, P.P., Ripich, G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Mechanism of ochratoxin A transport in the dog kidney.  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther., in press. 
  49. Holohan, P.D., Sokol, P.P., Ross, C.R., Coulson, R., Trimble, M.E., Laska, D.A. and Williams, P.D.:  Gentamicin-induced increases in cytosolic calcium in pig kidney cells (LLC-PK1).  J.  Pharmacol.  Exp.  Ther., in press. 
  50. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Acridine orange transport in canine renal brush-border membrane vesicles.  (submitted)
  51. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D., Supan, K. and Ross, C.R.:  N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) labeling of the renal organic cation transporter.  (submitted) 
  52. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Gentamicin and verapamil share a common transport mechanism in renal brush border membrane vesicles

Bibliography - Abstracts

  1. Cafruny, E.J., Ross, C.R.: Effects of 2-4 dinitrophenol on renal binding and excretion of mercurial compounds. Fed. Proc.19: 361,1960
  2. Cafruny, E.J., Ross, C.R and Davitt, J.: Inhibition of the Kaluretic action of hydrochlorothiazide. Fed.Proc. 20:  410,1961.
  3. Ross, C.R and Cafruny, E.J.: Distal action of benzothiadiazines in the dog. Fed. Proc. 21:  426, 1962.
  4. Ross, C.R. and Cafruny, E.J.:  Blockade of diuresis produced by benzothiadiazines. Pharmacologist  4: 158, 1962.
  5. Ross, C.R.: PAH transport in dog renal slices- an evaluation of the counter transport hypothesis. Fed.  Proc. 23:  328, 1964.
  6. Ross, C.R.: Effect of the temperature  on the rates of uptake and runout of PAH and NMN in dog renal slices. Pharmacologist  6: 190, 1964.
  7. Ross, C.R.: inhibitory effect of the B-haloalkylamines on NMN transport. Fed.  Proc.  25:  415, 1966.
  8. Ross, C.R.: A further study of the inhibitory effects of haloalkylamines on NMN transport. Fed . Proc 26:  355, 1967.
  9. Fondy, T.P., Ross C.R. and Gurder, S.G.:1-Fluoro-1-dehydroxy-d1glycerol-3-P as substrates for glycerol-3-P dehydrogenase.  Submitted American Chemical Society.
  10. Li, J.J., Tepperman, J., Tepperman, H.M. and Ross, C.R.: Ixozymes of NADP-malic enzyme in the rat liver and other tissues. J. Histochem.Cytochem. 18: 678, 1970.
  11. Ross, C.R. and Roch, F.D : renal excretion of N1 methylnicotineamide in the rat. Experentia . 29: 766, 1973.
  12. Holohan, P.D., warkentin, D., Pessah, N. and Ross, C.R.: The purification of an organic base specific binding protein from dog kidney. Fed. Proc. 32:  250, 1973.
  13. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.:  Binding of PAH and NMN to particulate fractions of dog kidney.   Pharmacologist  16:  318,  1974.
  14. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.:  the effect of chemical and enzymatic modification on the binding of N-methylnicotineamide (NMN) and p-aminohippurate (PAH) to microsomes prepared from dog kidney. Pharmacologist
  15. Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.H. and Ross, C.R., : Reconstitution of N –methylnicotinamide and paminohippurate transport in phospholipid vesicles with a protein fraction isolated from dog kidney microsomal membranes. American Soc. Nephrology 99, 1976.
  16. Holohan, P.D., Kinsella, J.L., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.: Inhibition of the renal transport of organic cations by aminoglycosides. American Soc. Nephrology, 109A, 1977.
  17. Kinsell, J.L., Holohan, P.D., Pessah, N.I. and Ross, C.R.: Transport of N1-methylnicotinamide and paminohippurate in liminal and antiluminal membrane vesicles from renal cortex. Pharmacology 19, 1977.
  18. Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.: Transport of organic cation in isolates luminal membrane vesicles from dog kidney cortex. Fed. Proc. 1979.
  19. Holohan, P.D.  and Ross, C.R.: Transepithelial transport of organic cations. J Supramol. Stru. Supplt. 4: 106.
  20. Williams, P.D., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.: Acute biochemical changes in rat kidneys following gentamicin treatment. Pharmacologist 22:  349,1980.
  21. Kasher, J.D., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R. : P-Aminohippurate (PAH) transportin rat kidney basolateral membrane vesicles. Pharmacologist 24: 436,1982.
  22. Williams, P.D., Kasher, J.S.,  Holoha, P.D. and Ross, C.R.: Effect of cephalosporins on the transport of organic ions in dog kidney plasma membrane vesicles. Pharmacologist 24: 437, 1982.
  23. Holohan, P.D and Ross, C.R.: Interrelationships between urate and p-aminohippurate  (PAH) transport in dog kidney plasma membrane vesicles. Physiologist 25: 294, 1982.
  24. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.: Electroneutral transport of organic cations in renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). FASEB Abstract, April 1985.
  25. Sokol, P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.: Essential disulfide bond (s) and sulhydryl group (s) for organic cation transport in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). ASPET,August 1985.
  26. Sokok. P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Essential disulfide bond(s) and sulfhydryl group(s) for organic cation transport in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  ASPET, August 1985. 
  27. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) sensitive organic cation/H+ antiporter in renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  Fed.  Proc., 1986. 
  28.  Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP)+) and 1-methyl-1-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) are substrates for the organic cation (OC)/H+ antiporter in renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  Fed.  Proc.  46(4):  1076, 1987. 
  29. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Structural homology between anion exchangers in red blood cells (RBC) and renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  Molecular aspects of Membrane Transport.   Canadian Biochemical Society, Banff, Alberta, p. T-17, 1987. 
  30. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Gentamicin (G)-induced cell injury is blocked by organic cations.  The Pharmacologist, in press. 
  31. Steffens, T.G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Operational modes of the organic anion exchanger in canine renal brush border membrane vesicles.  (Abstract presented at the Federation of the American Society for Experimental Biology, Washington, D.C., April, 1987.) 
  32. Steffens, T.G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Functional homology between anion exchangers in red blood cells and renal brush border membrane vesicles.  Presented at the British and Canadian Biochemical Society Symposium, Molecular Aspects of Membrane Transport, Banff, British Columbia, May, 1987. 
  33. Steffens, T.G., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Cl-/Base exchange in canine renal brush border membrane vesicles.  Presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Honolulu, Hawaii, August 1987. 
  34. Ross, C.R., Holohan, P.D. and Williams, P.D.:  Cytosolic-free [Ca2+]:  An early indicator of drug-induced nephrotoxicity.  Xth International Congress of Pharmacology, 1987. 
  35. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Gentamicin (G)-induced cell injury is blocked by organic cations.  The Pharmacologist 29(3):186, 1987. 
  36. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Arginyl and histidyl groups are essential for organic anion exchange in renal brush border membrane vesicles.  Kid.  Internat.  33:483, 1988. 
  37. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.:  Ochratoxin A (OTA) transport in renal plasma membrane vesicles.  The Toxicologist 8:132, 1988. 
  38. Sokol, P.P., Holohan, P.D. and Ross, C.R.  Gentamicin (G) and verapamil (V) compete for a common transport system in renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV).  The FASEB Journal, 2(4):A494, 1988. 
  • Last Updated: Aug 14, 2024 12:16 PM
  • URL: https://guides.upstate.edu/diversity-in-medicine
  • Print Page