About
Sharon Ricardo is a Professor in Pharmacology at Monash University, affiliated with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Victorian Heart Institute (VHI). Her research focuses on kidney disease, stem cell therapy, and regenerative medicine. She holds a BSc(Honours) in Pathology/Cell Biology from the University of Melbourne (1998) and a PhD in Medicine (Reactive Oxygen Species in Kidney Disease) from the same university (1994).
Research Interests: Professor Ricardo’s work centers on kidney repair mechanisms, including the application of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for genetic kidney disorders like Alport syndrome and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Her lab investigates mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to reduce fibrosis in chronic kidney disease and develops CSF-1 therapies for fetal kidney defects. She also explores ferroptosis mechanisms in Fabry disease and aging-associated chromatin changes.
Recent Articles: Her 2025 work on Fabry disease podocytes and ferroptosis highlights novel therapeutic avenues. Earlier studies (2023–2024) address RNA-based treatments, anti-fibrotic cargo delivery, and hydrogel-based therapies for kidney fibrosis. Collaborative projects include Australia-China stem cell initiatives and gene-editing strategies for kidney diseases.
Awards/Grants: While no specific awards are listed, she leads major grants, including a 2023–2026 project engineering anti-fibrotic MSCs and a 2024 project targeting medulloblastoma with stem cells. Her work aligns with UN SDG goals for health and innovation.
Labs/Teams: Active in the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, she collaborates with teams on stem cell therapies, kidney regeneration, and placental biology. Her lab develops novel biomaterials and cell delivery systems for clinical translation.
