Amy Y. Sato

Amy Y. Sato, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. She joined the faculty on March 1, 2022, following postdoctoral training at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and a transition to UAMS during the 2020 pandemic under Dr. Teresita Bellido’s laboratory. Her research focuses on elucidating cardioprotective mechanisms against glucocorticoid (GC)-induced cardiovascular damage, particularly targeting MuRF1-mediated ubiquitination and vitamin D signaling.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine (2017)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Indiana University School of Medicine (2017–2020)

Research Interests: Dr. Sato investigates how GC excess promotes heart failure through MuRF1 upregulation and vitamin D deficiency. Her work aims to identify therapeutic targets, such as the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25D₃, which may counteract GC-induced pathological changes. This research bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical relevance for managing GC-associated cardiotoxicity.

Awards:

• KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Award (supports her independent research on GC cardiovascular effects)

Advising & Collaboration: Dr. Sato collaborates with mentors including Marjan Boerma (Pharmaceutical Sciences), Alan Tackett (Biochemistry), Jawahar Mehta (Internal Medicine), and Teresita Bellido (Physiology and Cell Biology Chair). These collaborations leverage expertise in imaging, proteomics, cardiology, and musculoskeletal research.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Bellido’s laboratory in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and utilizes UAMS facilities like the Ultrasound Imaging Core and Quantitative Proteomics Facility.