Dr. Wright holds baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in zoology from the University of California, Davis, and a doctorate in marine biology and comparative physiology from the University of California at Irvine. After a postdoctoral position at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, he joined the Department of Physiology at the UA College of Medicine. Dr. Wright’s research focuses on determining the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the kidney transports toxic compounds. His background as a marine biologist studying how marine animals accumulate dissolved nutrients directly from seawater transitioned well to studies of how cells move molecules across membranes. For the past 25 years, Dr. Wright has maintained continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Tucson Myofilament Meeting is an international 3.5-day Sarver Heart Center conference that brings together approximately 250 scientists focused on the structure and function of the myofilaments that comprise the contractile machinery of muscle. Spanning topics from molecular biophysics to heart and skeletal muscle disease mechanisms and drug development, the meeting is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and informal atmosphere, with strong engagement of early career investigators.
Traditionally held biennially at the University of Wisconsin, the meeting will continue at the University of Arizona beginning in May 2026, offering a distinctive Tucson setting that fosters scientific exchange and community building.