Research Interests
I am trained as a physiologist with an interest in lifestyle interventions to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression in patients with kidney diseases, including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). I conduct research on the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in kidney diseases, as well as on novel therapeutics to alleviate such dysfunction. I have unique expertise in identifying integrative physiological mechanisms mediating vascular dysfunction, as well as in epidemiology (Master of Public Health). I direct the clinical vascular physiology laboratory for the Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension. My research efforts over the past five years have also largely focused on examining and manipulating diet, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction as important mediators of cyst growth in patients with ADPKD. I have been funded since the pre-doctoral level, including a pre-doctoral fellowship, postdoctoral fellowship, K01, and R03, and current PKD Foundation and two R01 awards. Additionally, I have a multi-PI R01 assessing the efficacy of inspiratory muscle strength training to lower blood pressure and improve vascular function in CKD. Throughout my training, I have also gained extensive experience mentoring trainees and am absolutely committed to mentorship of young investigators.