Ralph Shohet

Ralph Shohet, M.D., is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa. His research focuses on understanding the cardiac response to hypoxia, methamphetamine toxicity, and novel gene delivery methods using ultrasound-targeted microbubbles (UTMD). Dr. Shohet’s work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and clinical insights to address cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial ischemia, cardiomyopathy, and sex-based differences in disease susceptibility.

Research Interests

• Hypoxia and HIF-1 Signaling: Investigates how hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) regulates gene expression, microRNA, and chromatin accessibility in the stressed heart. His lab uses transgenic models to study HIF-1’s role in ventricular dilation and angiogenesis.
• Ultrasound-Mediated Gene Delivery (UTMD): Develops non-invasive methods for targeted delivery of therapeutic genes to organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. Recent studies include UTMD for hemophilia treatment and immune modulation.
• Methamphetamine Cardiomyopathy: Discovers sex-based differences in cardiotoxicity, finding male mice are more susceptible due to genomic or hormonal factors. This work has implications for human patient outcomes.

Research Trends: Dr. Shohet’s articles highlight advancements in understanding metabolic shifts post-infarction, the role of chromatin factors in cardiac identity, and the translational potential of UTMD for gene therapy. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, emphasizing personalized medicine and novel therapeutic strategies.

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, his lab’s research is supported by grants focusing on cardiovascular innovation. Collaborations include studies on aortopathy (GenTAC registry) and epigenetic regulation in heart disease.

Labs and Teams: The Shohet Laboratory and Center for Cardiovascular Research collaborate across disciplines to address cardiovascular challenges, integrating molecular, genetic, and translational approaches.