Current research in the lab broadly focuses on renal and vascular physiology and pathophysiology in neonates and adults. We utilize an integrative approach, including techniques drawn from molecular, biochemical, electrophysiology, imaging, isolated tissue, and whole animal methodologies to investigate the function and control of ion channels, regulatory proteins, and G protein-coupled receptors in vascular and kidney cells. We are equipped to study vascular and kidney pathophysiology using small and large animal models of disease, including hypertension, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, and sickle cell vasculopathy and nephropathy.

Our laboratory is one of the few groups in the country that utilizes preclinical models to investigate the basic science of kidney microcirculation and dysfunction within the first week of life. Why newborns? The kidneys of newborns are functionally immature. Due to immaturity, newborn babies are at risk of kidney injury caused by adverse perinatal conditions, including sepsis, respiratory distress, nephrotoxic drugs, growth restriction, and urinary tract obstruction. Also, preterm birth and kidney injury in infants are risk factors for the development of adult cardiovascular and kidney diseases. However, newborn kidney research lags behind adults, with potential long-term health consequences. Funded projects in the lab delineate neonatal renal hemodynamics and dysregulations that occur in acute kidney injury. We anticipate that our work will accrue novel findings with therapeutic and diagnostic potentials.