Kathleen Caron

Kathleen Caron is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Cell Biology & Physiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. She holds additional appointments in the Department of Genetics and is affiliated with the McAllister Heart Institute, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other interdisciplinary programs. Her research focuses on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways critical to cardiovascular development and disease, particularly the roles of RAMP proteins and adrenomedullin in lymphatic and vascular physiology.

Her work integrates gene-targeted animal models with cell biological systems to uncover mechanisms underlying cardiovascular dysfunction. Notable achievements include discovering fundamental roles for secretin- and chemokine-family receptors in cardiovascular health, and elucidating RAMP-receptor interactions that govern lymphatic vessel formation and function. Dr. Caron received the 2019 OGE Best Mentor Award for her dedication to student development.

Current research emphasizes adrenomedullin’s role as a prognostic marker in diseases like preeclampsia and its therapeutic potential in cardiovascular conditions. Her lab’s publications reflect interdisciplinary approaches to understanding vascular biology, with recent studies exploring lymphatic signaling in migraine, pregnancy-related cardiac remodeling, and environmental toxin impacts on development.

Dr. Caron leads a collaborative lab within the UNC Genetics and Cell Biology curricula, fostering translational research at the intersection of physiology, genetics, and disease. Her affiliations span multiple centers, reflecting her broad impact in cardiovascular and cancer research.