Exploring the genetic causes of hypertension has fueled the research of Michael Brown, director of the Hypertension Molecular and Applied Physiology Laboratory at Temple, for the last 10 years. Brown is of mixed race; his father is African American, and the rate of hypertension among African Americans is higher than among Caucasians. His focus is on how lifestyle modification can intervene. "Your genes are not a death sentence. You have a great deal of control over whether you develop hypertension and other cardiovascular problems," said Brown. "And you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from the low-intensity exercise that seems to be most effective."