Mildred A. Pointer

Dr. Mildred A. Pointer is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Biology at Howard University. With continuous funding since 2005, she has secured over $5.3 million as Principal Investigator and $8 million as co-PI for research on hypertension and renal physiology.

• B.S. in Biology, NC Central University (1974)
• Ph.D. in Physiology, Wake Forest University (1983)

Her research focuses on renal physiology, particularly:

• Mechanisms of salt-sensitive hypertension
• Stress-induced kidney and cardiovascular disease
• Role of calcium signaling in cardio-metabolic disorders

Recent publications highlight her work on:

• Sex differences in stress-related kidney injury
• Calcium dynamics in hypertension models
• Psychosocial factors in blood pressure regulation

Scientific awards include:

• AHA Career Development Award (2018)
• Founding member of the American Society of Hypertension
• NIH SCOR Grant contributions (1995-2000)
• AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Award (1998-2001)

Her research has been supported by:

• NIMHD U54 RCMI Grant (2017-2022) examining stress and kidney disease in African American males

Dr. Pointer has led studies on:

• Racial health disparities in hypertension
• Renal denervation effects in animal models
• Thrombolytic therapy and vascular integrity