Research Focus

The primary research focus of my lab is related to mechanisms of proteinuria in kidney diseases. In the laboratory, several experimental models of glomerulosclerosis, Alport Syndrome, and diabetic nephropathy are used to study the metabolic pathways that modulate the function of glomerular cells, with a primary interest in lipid metabolism, mediators of inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The laboratory serves as a ground to train graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty members across different Departments. Through NIH funded work on cholesterol metabolism and sphingolipid-related pathways, my lab has uncovered new pathogenetic mechanisms in glomerular disorders of diabetic and non-diabetic origin. The lab has successfully translated drug discovery efforts into clinical trials development and contributes to generate a strong culture of translational medicine across disciplines and anchors the Katz Family Drug Discovery Center.