I started my university education with a math degree, but found my interests lay in applying these math principles to living things. This led me to the area of arterial Biomechanics which then progressed into cardiac mechanics and biomedical engineering. My recent work involved creating a finite element model (computer model) of the heart that predicted areas of compression and tension within the heart muscle. From this, we could then predict areas of the heart that may be getting reduced blood flow and be at risk of ischemia and heart attack. I am now looking at new ways to estimate and measure coronary blood flow through the heart muscle. Most of my research takes place at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, where I hold an adjunct professorship. While I love doing research, I enjoy teaching even more. This led me to Ambrose which gave me a chance to combine my faith with teaching biology. Interacting with students and sharing new ideas with them is a great way to keep the field of Biology fresh for me - especially as we develop the new Biology program. We try to make the program very hands-on, with labs and case studies, and lots of discussion. Outside of the lab and classroom, my life is busy with my husband and four children. As a family, we like hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, swimming, and camping. My husband also teaches science, so we like to get out and experience biology up close!

Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts:

Carol A. Gibbons Kroeker, Samer Adeeb, Nigel G. Shrive, and John V. Tyberg. Compression Induced by RV Pressure Overload Decreases Regional Coronary Blood Flow in Anesthetized Dogs. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 2006: 290:2432-2438.

Carol A. Gibbons Kroeker, Samer Adeeb, John V. Tyberg, and Nigel G. Shrive. A 2-D FE Model of the Heart Demonstrates the Role of the Pericardium in Ventricular Deformation. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 2006: 291:2229-2236

Gibbons Kroeker, Carol A., Nigel G. Shrive, Israel Belenkie, and John V. Tyberg. The Pericardium modulates LV and RV Stroke Volumes to Compensate for Sudden Changes in Cardiac Volume. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 284: H2247-H2254 (2003).

Nelson GS, Sayed-Ahmed EY, Gibbons Kroeker CA, Sun YH, Keurs HE, Shrive NG, Tyberg JV. Compression of interventricular septum during right ventricular pressure loading. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2001 Jun;280(6):H2639-48.

Past publications:

Gibbons Kroeker, Carol A., John V. Tyberg, and Rafael Beyar. The Effects of Ischemia on Left Ventricular Apex-rotation: An experimental study in anaesthetized dogs. Circulation, 1995: 92, 3539-3548.

Gibbons Kroeker, Carol A., John V. Tyberg, and Rafael Beyar. The Effects of Load manipulation, heart rate, and contractility on Left Ventricular apical rotation: An experimental study in anaesthetized dogs. Circulation, 1995: 92, 130-141.

Beyar, Rafael, Riva Ben-ari, Carol A. Gibbons Kroeker, John V. Tyberg, and Samuel Sideman. The effect of interconnecting collagen fibres on LV function and intramyocardial compression

n. Cardiovascular Research, 1993.

Gibbons Kroeker, Carol A., H.E.D.J. ter Keurs, Merrill L. Knudtson, John V. Tyberg, and Rafael Beyar. An Optical Device to Measure the Dynamics of Apex Rotation of the Left Ventricle. American Journal of Physiology, 1993: 265, H1444-H1449.

Gibbons (Kroeker), Carol A., and Robert E. Shadwick. Circulatory Mechanics in the Toad, Bufo marinus. I. Structure and Mechanical Design of the Aorta. Journal of Experimental Biology, 158: 275-289, 1991.

Gibbons (Kroeker), Carol A., and Robert E. Shadwick. Circulatory Mechanics in the Toad, Bufo marinus. II. Haemodynamics of the Arterial Windkessel. Journal of Experimental Biology, 158: 291-306, 1991.

Gibbons (Kroeker), Carol A., and Robert E. Shadwick. Functional similarities in the mechanical design of the aorta in lower vertebrates and mammals. Experientia, 45: 1083-1088, 1089.

Professional Society Memberships

2003 - Cardiovascular System Dynamics
2003 - American Physiological Society

2002 - American Heart Association

2001 - Alberta Biomedical Engineering Group

1997-98, 2005 - Association of Biological Laboratory Educators

2005 - National Association of Biology Teachers