Mingfu Wu

Mingfu Wu is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, where he investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac development and congenital heart diseases. His work focuses on left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy, epicardial development, cardiomyocyte maturation, and integrin-mediated signaling in heart morphogenesis.

• Ph.D. in Biology, Kansas State University (2005)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Duke University (2006-2007) and UT Southwestern Medical Center (2007-2010)

Wu's research explores tunneling nanotubes in cardiac cellular communication, integrin signaling in ventricular wall formation, and chemical screening for cardiomyocyte regeneration. His recent work on β1 integrin deletion in cardiomyocytes has provided critical insights into trabecular formation and spongy heart disease. Current projects include NIH-funded studies on endocardial-myocardial signaling bridges and AHA-funded investigations into hypoplastic left heart syndrome pathogenesis.

Key scientific awards include:

• AHA Established Investigator Award (2025-2030)
• AHA Transformational Project Award (2024-2027, 2020-2023)
• R01 NIH Young Investigator Award (2014-2019)
• AHA SDG award (2013-2017)

Wu's advising and grants highlight mentorship of trainees like Lianjie Miao and Anika Nusrat, with sponsored AHA awards. His lab investigates cardiac developmental defects using genetic models, cellular reprogramming, and engineering approaches to understand congenital heart disease etiology and potential treatments.