Find Academic Supervisors

Daria IlatovskayaView profile

Associate Professor

• Cardiorenal pathophysiology
• Ion channel biophysics
• Mitochondrial bioenergetics
• +3 more

Dr. Daria Ilatovskaya is a tenured Associate Professor of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University where she also serves as Graduate Program Director for the Physiology Graduate Program. She leads the Kidney and Hypertension Research Group and has adjunct roles in The Graduate School. Education: Ph.D. Cellular Biology, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2012 M.S. Physics, Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, 2009 B.S. Physics, Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, 2007 Research Focus: Dr. Ilatovskaya’s laboratory integrates in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro approaches to dissect how ion channels, mitochondrial bioenergetics and sex hormones govern cardiorenal homeostasis. Areas of emphasis include: Salt-sensitive hypertension and blood pressure control Polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD & ADPKD) Mitochondrial dysfunction in podocytes and tubular epithelia Sex-specific pathobiology and precision medicine Her team employs state-of-the-art techniques such as single-channel electrophysiology on freshly isolated nephron segments, live-cell confocal imaging, high-resolution mitochondrial respirometry and chronic blood-pressure telemetry. Publication Impact: Across 93 scholarly outputs (h-index 29), her 2024–2025 portfolio reveals a surge in translational studies elucidating ANP-mediated mitochondrial protection, sex-specific redox control of podocytes, and community-based hypertension interventions in rural Georgia. Awards & Honors: Outstanding Early Career Basic Science Faculty Award, Augusta University (2025) Young Investigator Award, APS Renal Section (2024) Lazaro J Mandel Young Investigator Award (2019) FAHA distinction, American Heart Association (2018) Edward J. Lennon Award for Outstanding Woman Postdoc (2014) Funding & Mentorship: Dr. Ilatovskaya is PI or Co-I on five active NIH grants totaling >$4 million, including two NHLBI R01s investigating ANP signaling and women’s cardiovascular health. She mentors graduate students, postdocs and undergraduates, and champions diversity through CUR’s STR program. Laboratory & Team: The Ilatovskaya Lab (Lab CA-3091) currently includes an Assistant Scientist (track), senior research assistant, three graduate students and an honors undergraduate, fostering an inclusive environment centered on rigorous science and trainee success.

• Nephrology
• Cardio-Renal Syndrome
• Renal Physiology
• +5 more

Adhish Agarwal, MD, is a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University of Utah. He is also Associate Chief of Medicine Service at the SLC VA Medical Center since June 2020. Education: MD from University of Delhi (MAMC), Internal Medicine Residency at Nassau University Medical Center, Nephrology Fellowship at University of Utah Dr. Agarwal specializes in kidney diseases, with clinical interests in glomerulonephritis, ADPKD, acute kidney injury, and dialysis. His research focuses on cardio-renal syndrome, renal physiology in heart failure, and hypertension management. His recent publications (2017-2024) span topics including renal sodium handling in heart failure, blood pressure control in kidney disease, dialysis efficacy, and cardio-renal interactions. Research trends emphasize clinical nephrology and hypertension management. Certified by American Board of Internal Medicine (Nephrology)

• Liver Pathology
• Liver Transplantation Pathology
• Hepatopancreatobiliary Pathology
• +4 more

Ayşe Armutlu, M.D. is an Attending Physician and Specialist in the Department of Pathology at Koç University since 2016. She completed her medical education and pathology residency at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine (2002–2014) and advanced training in liver pathology at Indiana University (2018). Her clinical focus includes Liver Pathology , Hepatopancreatobiliary Pathology , and Uropathology . Medical Doctorate , Gazi University School of Medicine (2002–2009) Medical Pathology Residency , Gazi University Department of Medical Pathology (2009–2014) Observer in Pathology , Indiana University Department of Pathology (2018) Her research spans prostate cancer staging , pancreatic tumor subtyping , and hepatic pathology , with over 20 publications since 2016. Key studies include PSMA PET/CT applications , duct-centric Whipple specimen analysis , and metaplastic pancreatic carcinomas . While no scientific awards are explicitly documented, her work emphasizes imaging-pathology integration and novel diagnostic protocols . She has no known part-time affiliations and no appointments are listed in the scraped data.

Liming PeiView profile

Associate Professor

• Cardiac Endocrinology
• Single-Cell Multiomics
• Mitochondrial Function and Metabolism
• +3 more

Liming Pei, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where he directs a research program focused on inter-organ communication in metabolic homeostasis. His laboratory investigates how the heart functions as an endocrine organ, employs single-cell multiomics to decode cardiac development and disease, and elucidates cell-type-specific metabolic regulation through nuclear receptors like ERRγ. Dr. Pei earned his B.S. from the University of Science and Technology of China (2000) and Ph.D. from UCLA (2006), followed by postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute. He joined CHOP/UPenn in 2013 as Assistant Professor before promotion to Associate Professor. His research spans three synergistic domains: (1) Cardiac endocrinology, where his team discovered GDF15 as a heart-derived hormone regulating body growth and liver metabolism, explaining failure-to-thrive in pediatric heart disease; (2) Single-cell multiomics, pioneering snRNA-Seq in cardiac research to build human heart atlases through NIH HuBMAP and study Fontan-associated liver disease; (3) Mitochondrial metabolism, identifying ERRγ as a master regulator of cell-type-specific energy pathways essential for cardiac, neuronal, and renal function. His work employs proximity labeling, single-nucleus sequencing, and transgenic models to uncover fundamental mechanisms with therapeutic implications. Recent publications reveal his lab's dominance in cardiac multiomics, with 2024-2025 studies on Fontan physiology, mitochondrial heteroplasmy, and ERRγ-targeted heart failure therapies appearing in Science Translational Medicine and Nature Cell Biology. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in linking molecular mechanisms to clinical metabolic and cardiac disorders. Funded by multiple NIH grants and Department of Defense awards, Dr. Pei actively mentors postdoctoral fellows and graduate students through CHOP/UPenn training programs. His lab offers rotation projects in cardiac hormone discovery, single-cell atlas development, and mitochondrial disease modeling, emphasizing computational and experimental integration. The Pei Lab operates within CHOP's Center for Spatial and Functional Genomics, collaborating with UPenn's Institute for Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism and the Cardiovascular Institute. Current initiatives include developing ERRγ-based therapies for kidney disease and expanding the understanding of heart-liver metabolic crosstalk through clinical-translational partnerships.

Teresa BuckView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Chaperones
• Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated Degradation (ERAD)
• Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC)
• +3 more

Teresa Buck serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, where her laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of protein homeostasis with direct implications for kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment. Her academic foundation includes: B.A. in Biology from Carroll College, Helena, MT Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences from Oregon Health Sciences University (2006) under Dr. Bill Skach Dr. Buck's research program centers on molecular chaperones governing endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD), particularly their regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in renal contexts. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast models and mammalian systems, her work elucidates how chaperones like GRP170/Lhs1, ERdj3/4, and Hsp104 recognize misfolded membrane proteins, with recent emphasis on therapeutic interventions for ER stress-induced acute kidney injury. Her studies frequently examine transmembrane domain recognition, substrate-specific degradation mechanisms, and compensatory pathways in chaperone-deficient states. Analysis of her 2018-2025 publications reveals escalating focus on GRP170's cytoprotective role in nephrons, demonstrating how dietary sodium modulates electrolyte imbalances in chaperone-deficient mice. This translational trajectory connects basic ERAD mechanisms to potential clinical interventions for kidney disorders, with consistent exploration of chaperone networks across model systems.

• Urologic Oncology
• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• +3 more

Guilherme Godoy, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He specializes in urologic oncology, with clinical and research expertise in bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers. His international training includes fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (NY), University of British Columbia (Vancouver), and Baylor College of Medicine. Research Focus: Dr. Godoy's work spans surgical innovation, biomarker discovery, and outcome optimization in urologic cancers. Key areas include: Minimally invasive surgical techniques (robotic prostatectomy, nephron-sparing surgery) Urinary biomarkers for non-invasive cancer detection Risk stratification models for prostate and bladder cancers Management of radiation-recurrent prostate cancer Awards & Honors: Prof. Dr. João Fava Award (2004) 3× AUA Best Poster Awards (2008-2010) Aventis Fellowship Award (2009-2010) Best Clinical Research Paper, European Urology (2011) Professional Affiliations: Society of Urologic Oncology, SWOG Clinical Trials Consortium, International Bladder Cancer Network, and American Urological Association.

• Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery
• Robotic Surgery
• Endourology
• +8 more

Dr. Wesley Adam Mayer is an Associate Professor of Urology and Vice Chair for Education in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also serves as Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education. His clinical practice focuses on advanced minimally invasive surgical treatments for complex urologic conditions. BA with Distinction from Cornell University (2001) MD with Highest Honors from Baylor College of Medicine (2005) General Surgery Internship and Urology Residency at University of Pennsylvania (2006-2010) Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine (2011) Dr. Mayer's research centers on robotic and laparoscopic surgical innovations for kidney cancer, stone disease, and transplant urology. His work on renal mass scoring systems and single-site donor nephrectomy has established new clinical benchmarks. The integration of surgical education methodology with technical innovation represents a unique aspect of his scholarly contributions. His publication record shows consistent output in high-impact urology journals, with recent emphasis on surgical education frameworks and minimally invasive technique optimization. The research demonstrates strong translational impact, with several innovations adopted into national training curricula. Two-time Fulbright Faculty Excellence Award recipient (Educational Leadership 2019, Teaching 2018) Faculty Teacher of the Year (2021) Multiple "Top Doctor" designations (Houstonia Magazine 2019-2021, TX Top Docs 2021) American Urological Association Teaching Award nominee (2020) Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society inductee As an educator, Dr. Mayer directs multiple residency training initiatives and serves on national committees shaping urologic education. His ACGME Urology Milestones 2.0 work has transformed competency assessment across all US residency programs. He maintains active collaborations with transplant centers and regularly contributes to national educational courses including the AUA Oral Board Examination Review.

Zac CoxView profile

Professor

• Heart Failure
• Pharmacotherapy
• Cardiorenal Syndrome
• +3 more

Zac Cox is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Lipscomb University and serves as the Heart Failure Clinical Pharmacist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and Fellow of the Heart Failure Society of America, working with interdisciplinary medical teams of cardiologists at Vanderbilt. Dr. Cox also serves as a preceptor for PGY-2 cardiology residents. Dr. Cox earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy in 2008 after completing pre-pharmacy studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He furthered his training with a pharmacy practice residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His primary research focuses on acute heart failure, with special emphasis on loop diuretic resistance, sodium management, and novel therapeutic approaches for heart failure patients. Dr. Cox has made significant contributions to understanding diuretic resistance mechanisms and developing innovative treatment strategies for acute heart failure. His work bridges clinical pharmacy practice with cardiovascular medicine, addressing critical challenges in heart failure management. Dr. Cox serves as co-principal investigator of the DICTATE-AHF trial, a multi-center randomized trial investigating dapagliflozin in acute heart failure. He holds a patent as co-inventor of inhaled milrinone for heart failure, which is currently in Phase I clinical trials. His research collaborations with Vanderbilt University and Yale University have resulted in numerous publications in premier cardiology journals including Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and the European Journal of Heart Failure. Among his notable scholarly contributions are his chapters in Dipiro's Pharmacotherapy and Irwin and Rippe's Intensive Care Medicine textbooks, which are considered essential resources for pharmacy and medical education. His research has been presented at major international conferences including the American College of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology Acute Heart Failure Congress. As an educator, Dr. Cox mentors pharmacy residents and contributes to the development of future pharmacotherapy specialists. His clinical expertise and research directly impact patient care, particularly in optimizing diuretic therapy and developing novel approaches for managing acute decompensated heart failure. Through his interdisciplinary work, he has established himself as a key contributor to advancing heart failure pharmacotherapy.