Lab general purpose/focus

The primary aims of my research laboratory are to utilize an integrative and translational experimental approach to understand the physiological mechanisms related to cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Importantly we aim to identify life-style and therapeutic interventions that may modify vascular and metabolic functions in CKD patients.  Accordingly, our studies incorporate a variety of invasive and non-invasive techniques, such as:  Doppler ultrasonography, arterial tonometry, endothelial collection via J-wire technique, and immunofluorescence staining/analysis. We further have the capacity to evaluate whether the therapies we utilize modulate the pro-oxidant milieu in CKD. Our approach consists of the infusion of supra-physiological dosages of vitamin C to manipulate oxidative stress during research visits and the in vitro evaluation of oxidant cell signaling pathways at the cellular level. Ongoing research projects involve nutraceutical interventions (i.e. curcumin, resveratrol) aimed at improving endothelial function in addition to stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics of the large central elastic arteries (e.g., aorta, carotids etc.).

Collectively, my research program is balanced in basic and translational studies, wet-lab and computational methods, and resource- and hypothesis-driven research. This framework promotes multi-disciplinary and collaborative science, offering an excellent environment to foster the growth of current and future trainees.