Professor of Biology
503-375-7185
Education
- B.S. Biology – Biola University
- Ph.D. Biology – Portland State University
Professional
Dr. Comstock teaches in the areas of physiology and cell and molecular biology. Dr. Comstock’s ongoing research at Corban University is supported through the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust and focuses on the effects of sugar induced obesity on liver metabolism and cataract development.
Recent Publications
Harris RA, Alcott CE, Sullivan EL, Takahashi D, McCurdy CE, Comstock S, Baquero K, Blundell P, Frias AE, Kahr M, Suter M, Wesolowski S, Friedman JE, Grove KL, Aagaard KM. (2016) Genomic Variants Associated with Resistance to High Fat Diet Induced Obesity in a Primate Model. Scientific Reports. 6:36123
Enriori PJ, Chen W, Garcia-Rudaz MC, Grayson BE, Evans AE, Comstock SM, Gebhardt U, Müller HL, Reinehr T, Henry BA, Brown RD, Bruce CR, Simonds SE, Litwak SA, McGee SL, Luquet S, Martinez S, Jastroch M, Tschöp MH, Watt MJ, Clarke IJ, Roth CL, Grove KL, Cowley MA. (2016) α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone promotes muscle glucose uptake via melanocortin 5 receptors. Molecular Metabolism. 5(10):807-22
Howden, D., Boekenoogen, C., Wagoner, J., Miller, Shaina, Mendez-Guajardo, B. Faculty Advisor: Comstock, S. (2015) The effects of creatine supplementation on muscular strength and endurance in mice. Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
Wagoner, J., Felzien, E., Vetter, C., Johnson, K., Rodriguez, A. Faculty Advisor: Comstock, S. (2015) Development of a mouse model of obesity via sucrose consumption. Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
Pound L.D., Comstock S.M., Grove K.L. (2014). Consumption of a Western-style diet during pregnancy impairs offspring islet vascularization in a Japanese macaque model. American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, 307(1):E115-23. 6.
Nicol, L. E., Grant, W. F., Grant, W. R., Comstock, S.M., Nguyen, M. L., Smith, M. S., … Marks, D. L. (2013). Pancreatic inflammation and increased islet macrophages in insulin-resistant juvenile primates. The Journal of Endocrinology, 217(2), 207–213 7.
Personal
Sarah’s husband is an elementary school P.E. teacher. The Comstocks have five adopted children, one adopted son from Haiti and four children from Oregon. At Corban, Sarah is the faculty sponsor and leader of the science department’s annual short-term medical mission trip, where students and medical professionals minister through medical clinics in countries such as Haiti and Honduras. She is also the vice-president of the nonprofit organization Project Living Hope, which works in Haiti.
Why Corban
“I chose to teach at Corban University because of the school’s mission ‘to educate students to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.’ Not only is the University dedicated to students learning in their subject, we also care about the student as a whole. We want to help students mature in their walk with Christ, while also using the gifts God gave them within their specific discipline. The University is dedicated to excellence in education, and I am excited to be a part of the process.”