Anna A. Birukova

Anna A. Birukova is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, with secondary appointments in Anesthesiology and Physiology. She co-directs the Lung Biology Research Program and serves as Director of Basic Research in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Her academic career spans institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Chicago.

• B.S., Biochemistry, II Moscow Medical School, Russia (1987)
• M.S., Biochemistry, II Moscow Medical School, Russia (1989)
• M.D., II Moscow Medical School, Russia (1989)

Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms regulating vascular endothelial barrier integrity and inflammation in lung diseases. Key areas include microtubule dynamics, small GTPase signaling (Rho/Rac), and therapeutic strategies for acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS. She investigates protective agonists like ANP and HGF and their roles in modulating cytoskeletal remodeling and inflammation.

The 15 most recent publications highlight microtubule-dependent activation of Rho/GEF-H1, redox-sensitive pathways in septic injury, stiffness-mediated positive feedback in inflammation, and barrier-enhancing effects of ANP/HGF. These studies integrate molecular biology, mechanotransduction, and pharmacological interventions in pulmonary vascular dysfunction.

Current NIH-funded projects (R01 GM114171, R01 HL107920, R01 HL130431) explore microtubule regulation of septic inflammation, ALI pathogenesis, and mechanosensitive GTPase signaling in vascular stretch responses.