University of Florida Department of Medicine

Nephrology, Hypertension & Renal Transplantation

Opportuinities in Research

Research Faculty

Research Activities of Program Faculty. The training faculty and their Departmental affiliations are listed in Table 4. We have 27 mentors representing 11 Departments/ Divisions within the University of Florida and 1 mentor from the Foundation of Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville.

Richard J Johnson M.D. (J Robert Cade Professor of Medicine, Chief of Nephrology & Hypertension Division)

Richard J Johnson M.D. Dr. Johnson’s research has focused on the pathogenesis of progressive renal disease, with particular emphasis on the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Previous studies have included examining mechanisms of renal inflammation (role of oxidants, proteases, complement and platelets), the cellular responses to injury (cell proliferation and matrix expansion in relation to growth factors such as PDGF and TGF-), and the interplay with vasoactive mediators (especially angiotensin II, nitric oxide and endothelin). His studies involve molecular signaling, cell culture and whole animal models, and has emphasized structure:function relationships and applications to human disease. His recent studies have focused on the role of impaired angiogenesis in renal progression, the uncoupling of the VEGF-NO axis in diabetic nephropathy, the role of renal injury in hypertension, and the role of uric acid in hypertension and renal disease. He also does clinical research and has studied the effects of high altitude on renal disease and currently he also has an RO-1 in clinical research to evaluate the effect of allopurinol on blood pressure in African Americans receiving diuretics for stage I hypertension.

Active Collaborations: Mark Atkinson, Chris Baylis, Steven Benner, Byron Croker, Maria Grant, William Hauswirth, Julie Johnson, Ulf Meier-Kriesche, Mark Segal.

Mark Atkinson PhD (Professor of Medicine, Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine Division)

Dr. Atkinson is the American Diabetes Association Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research at The University of Florida, and co-Director for The Diabetes Research Center. The author of over 190 publications, Dr. Atkinson has over 24 years of investigation into the field of type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes. Dr.. Atkinson has been the recipient of the Mary Tyler Moore & S. Robert Levine M.D. award for translational research on type 1 diabetes (2004) and the Eli Lilly Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement from the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Atkinson is the immediate past Chair for Medical Science Research at the JDRF wherein he oversaw research review of nearly $100M in annual funding (FY 2005). Dr. Atkinson is an internationally recognized authority on multiple aspects pertaining to type 1 diabetes, with particular interests in disease prediction and prevention, the role for environment in the initiation of the disease, stem cells and pancreatic regeneration, identifying markers of tolerance and immunoregulation, and the use of gene therapy as a means to cure the disease and prevent it’s complications. A primary area of study is the role of autoregulatory T cells, immune tolerance and lymphokine and cytokine modulation. Thompson Scientific (an organization that tracks scientific citations of researchers) noted that Dr. Atkinson was the fifth most cited authority of over 65,000 investigators in the word in all categories of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2 between 1991 and 2002. Dr.. Atkinson has been the recipient of numerous funding awards, with his program the current recipient of nearly $6.0M in annual extramural funding.

Active Collaborations: He is actively collaborating on studies related to diabetic renal disease with Drs Richard Johnson, Mark Segal, Maria Grant, and William Hauswirth on a JDRF program project, and with Dr. Michael Clare-Salzler. He is also studying the immune basis of minimal change disease with Drs Garin and Johnson.

Chris Baylis PhD (J Robert Cade Professor of Physiology, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Hypertension Center)

Dr. Baylis’ research has primarily involved studies of the renal physiology associated with pregnancy and aging, and with the role of the nitric oxide system in renal progression. She has also studied angiotensin, endothelin, and renal nerves as mechanisms involved in blood pressure and renal progression. She utilizes a wide variety of techniques, including micropuncture studies, molecular biology and gene transfer studies, animal models, and cell culture. She also has performed clinical studies. Most recently her interest has focused on the role of nitric oxide in models of hypertension, preeclampsia, and renal disease. As Director of the Hypertension Center and also a member of the Renal Division, she helps coordinate an active Visiting Professor Program and helps oversee the Research Activities for the Division. She is also the PI on a new multidisciplinary T32 on Hypertension. Her main current interests are hypertension, preeclampsia, and progressive renal injury.

Active Collaborations: Dr. Baylis is actively collaborating with a number of individuals in the Program Faculty, including with Drs Johnson, Segal, Verlander Reed, Weiner, Wingo, and Conrad.

Brian Cain PhD (Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

Brian Cain PhD Dr. Cain is a biochemist that has actively collaborated with Dr. Charles Wingo on the regulation of H+,K+ ATPases in the kidney for more than 15 years. As part of this collaborative effort, Dr.. Cain has trained four doctoral students on projects focused on the regulation of H+/K+-ATPase in the kidney. Most recently, Dr. Michelle Gumz (PhD, 2004) developed a molecular model of the HKalpha2 subunit and evaluated the response of collecting duct cells to acute administration of aldosterone. The research pointed to several specific signaling pathways as the likely cellular mechanisms directing downstream events. This type of training has been considered ideal because it matches a mentor who is an expert in molecular biology with another mentor who is an expert in renal physiology (Charles Wingo). The project was central to formulating an active RO-1, and Dr. Gumz is currently a postdoctoral student working for both Dr. Wingo on the project. In addition to his interest in molecular biology in the kidney, Dr. Cain is better known for his research on the bacterial F1F0 ATP synthase. The bacterial enzyme serves as a model of mitochondrial mammalian complex V.

Active Collaborations: C. Wingo (Univ of Florida), L. Bloom (Univ. of Florida), S. Dunn (Univ of Western Ontario, Canada). I. David Weiner (Univ of Florida)

Michael Clare-Salzler PhD (Professor of Medicine, Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine Division)

Michael Clare-Salzler PhD Dr. Clare-Salzler is investigating the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying type 1 diabetes. He is an expert on cell mediated immune mechanisms, particularly innate immune responses in NOD mice and in humans at risk or with type 1 diabetes. His studies have focused on dendritic cell and macrophage/monocyte biology in both animal and human subjects. Specific areas of investigation include; antigen presenting cell function, type 1 interferon responses in type 1 diabetes, eicosanoids metabolism in type 1 diabetes, abnormal regulation of STAT5 responses in myeloid cell populations of type 1 diabetes prone humans and mice, and IL-2 mediated STAT5 signaling in regulatory T cells. In many of his studies he utilizes congenic mice to determine whether there is a genetic contribution to the immunophenotypes he has defined.

He is also PI for two NIH sponsored clinical trials evolved from work in his laboratory. A phase I trail testing the safety of administration of autologous dendritic cells presenting islet antigens as a cell-based therapy for diabetes prevention is currently underway. A second trial, the Nutritional Intervention to Prevent type 1 diabetes (NIP trial), will test whether administration of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in infants with a high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes will block the development of autoantibodies and diabetes.

Active Collaborations: Dr. Clare-Salzler is actively collaborating with Dr. Mark Atkinson and is also the K08 mentor for Dr. Karl Womer in the Division of Nephrology (who is studying dendritic cells in renal transplantation).

Kirk Conrad PhD (Professor of Physiology)

Dr. Conrad’s major research interests cover three general areas involving both fundamental and clinical research. (1) Investigation of the mechanisms underlying the remarkable renal and systemic vasodilation and increased arterial compliance during normal pregnancy. Dr. Conrad and colleagues identified the ovarian hormone, relaxin, as the primary hormonal signal. They further elucidated the cellular signaling pathway by which relaxin mediates vasodilation: VEGF, vascular gelatinases, the endothelial endothelin B receptor and nitric oxide. Further dissection of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of vasodilation and alterations of arterial compliance by relaxin are ongoing (NIH RO1 DK63321and HL67937). (2) Dr. Conrad and coworkers recently discovered that there is a relaxin hormone/relaxin receptor system locally expressed by arteries in the nonpregnant condition irrespective of gender which potently regulates arterial behavior—both myogenic reactivity and passive compliance. Investigation of the impact of this vascular relaxin system in conscious, chronically instrumented mice and as a function of aging is currently in progress (competitive renewal of NIH RO1 HL67937). (3) The third area of research deals with abnormal placentation and cardiovascular maladaptation in preeclampsia. Presently Dr. Conrad and colleagues are focusing on the hypoxia inducible transcription factors in the human placenta and their role in the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia (Subproject #2 of PO1 HD30367).

In summary, one overall goal of Dr. Conrad has been to advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying maternal renal and cardiovascular adaptations to normal pregnancy. Another is to harness the “lessons learned from normal pregnancy” to facilitate the investigation of preeclampsia in which abnormal vasoconstriction and arterial stiffness pertain. A final aim is to see the fruits of his research through to the “bedside”. Thus, consultation and collaboration on investigations of relaxin as a potential therapeutic modality in preeclampsia, as well as in various cardiovascular diseases of the non-pregnant population is another major objective (and one currently underway).

Active collaborations: Mark Segal, MD. Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine

Byron Croker M.D., Ph.D. (Professor of Pathology, Chief Unit Director of Renal Pathology and Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, VAMC, Gainesville, FL)

Dr. Croker is the primary renal pathologist for the University of Florida and is an expert on murine models of renal disease, particularly models of diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis. He has been an active collaborator in the area of glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and acute and chronic renal failure. Currently he is a member of the JDRF program project. He is also known for clinical study of classification of transplant rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy.

Active Collaborations: diabetes, acute lupus nephritis, renal failure, ammonium transport.

Eduardo H Garin M.D. (Professor of Pediatrics, Nephrology Division)
Dr. Garin is Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology. He is an international expert on Minimal Lesion Nephrotic Syndrome. Dr. Garin has dedicated almost all 30 years of his professional career to the study of this disease. Although he has made important contributions to the therapy of Minimal Lesion, he has concentrated his research efforts in the pathogenic mechanisms leading to proteinuria. Working on the hypothesis that Minimal Lesion is an immune mediated disease, he has identified a number of chemokines and other factors that may contribute to the increase glomerular permeability to plasma proteins in these patients. Of importance is the fact that he has developed an animal model that allows the chronic infusion of the putative circulating factor in the circulation of the experimental animal, circumventing the proteinuric effect of acute volume expansion into the animal.
Currently, he has initiated a collaborative group involving Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Mark Atkinson to investigate the underlying immune defect in Minimal Lesion Nephrotic Syndrome. The efforts are centered on the role of T regulatory cells in the release of the pathogenic circulating factor in this disease and on the effect of this factor on podocytes and the composition of the slit diaphragm.

Maria Grant M.D. (Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology Division)

Dr. Grant’s research focuses on endothelial progenitor cells and their role in diabetic retinopathy. Her work encompasses studies on angiogenesis, studies using mice with various gene knockouts, and gene transfer techniques. Recent research focuses on chemokines and how they influence endothelial stem cell behavior. She is actively collaborating with Dr. Mark Segal to investigate the role of endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic renal and vascular disease, and is principal investigator of a PPG by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with Drs Byron Croker, Dr. Richard Johnson, Dr. Mark Segal and Dr. Mark Atkinson.

Active Collaborations:

William Hauswirth PhD (Professor and Eminent Scholar, Ophthalmology and Molecular Genetics)

Dr. Hauswirth is an international expert on diabetic retinopathy and angiogenic complications involving the retina. He is well known for his use of gene therapies using the AAV system to block or stimulate various angiogenic and antiangiogenic substances. His work includes cell culture studies, animal models, and clinical trials in humans.

Active collaborations: He is part of the JDRF program project with various nephrology and core T32 faculty (including Dr. Mark Atkinson, Maria Grant, Richard Johnson and Mark Segal), and is a coPI on a collaborative JDRF IDDP grant between Genzyme Corp and AGTC, Inc to develop and test in humans an anit-neovascular gene therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

L Shannon Holliday PhD (Associate Professor of Orthodontics and Anatomy and Cell Biology)

Dr. Holliday studies the regulation of osteoclast bone resorption with specific emphasis on the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase). The research is linked with renal physiology in a number of areas. As in osteoclasts, high-level expression and regulated transport of V-ATPase in the proximal tubule and intercalated cells of the kidney is vital for urinary acid-base regulation. Mutations in subunit a4 and B1 of V-ATPase result in distal renal tubular acidosis. We have performed pilot studies examining possible strategies for gene therapy for distal RTA caused by mutations in V-ATPase. Mechanisms for regulation of V-ATPase in the kidney are likely similar to those utilized in osteoclasts. Links between glycolysis and V-ATPase function that appear to be similar in osteoclasts and proximal tubules. Similar interactions between V-ATPase and cytoskeletal components also appear to be in play in both the kidney and osteoclast. Bone remodeling is regulated in part by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and PTH in order to balance proper levels of systemic calcium with maintenance of the structural integrity of the bone. An important consequence of renal disease is renal osteodystrophy. This formed the basis for a productive collaboration involving pre-clinical studies examining the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogs on bone resorption. Dr. Holliday is also a mentor with T32 Training grants in oral biology, McArthur, T32DE007200-15.

Active Collaborations:

Julie Johnson Pharm D* (Professor and Chief, Department of Pharmacogenomics)

Dr. Johnson’s research has focused on the genetic mechanisms involved in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Johnson's research focus is clinical cardiovascular drug pharmacogenomics, disease-gene associations that may be relevant to pharmacogenomics, and the influence of race/ethnicity on drug response and pharmacogenomics. She currently has studies ongoing in the areas of hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease and obesity, with a primary focus on proteins that are drug targets and the impact of their genetic polymorphisms on drug response and disease.

Active Collaborations: Richard Johnson, Bruce Kone, Carl Pepine, Rhonda Cooper-DeHoff, Richard Schofield (University of Florida); Wolfgang Sadee (Ohio State University); Steven Turner (Mayo Clinic); Arlene Chapman (Emory University); Eric Boerwinkle (University of Texas at Houston); Nicholas Schork (Scripps); Mark Shriver (Pennsylvania State University).

Marian C Limacher M.D. (Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division)

Dr. Limacher is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology and Director of the K30 funded Advanced Postgraduate Program in Clinical Investigation (APPCI). Dr. Limacher is an expert on gender effects in cardiovascular diseases, clinical outcomes research, and clinical research techniques and tools. She is the PI for the University of Florida Clinical Center for the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and serves as the Chair of the WHI Outcomes Adjudication Committee. As Director of the APPCI, she has a key role in overseeing those fellows on the T32 program who desire to undertake extensive clinical research training leading to a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation or an MPH.

Active Collaborations: Co-PI on the NIH funded Treatment of Obesity in Underserved Rural Settings clinical trial (Michael Perri, PhD, PI). Ongoing collaborations with the WHI investigators. Other programs in progress: Eileen Handberg, PhD, U Florida, Cardiology; Issem Zineh, PharmD, U Florida, Pharmacology.

Christiaan Leeuwenburgh PhD* (Professor of Medicine, Aging and Geriatric Research Division)

Dr. Leeuwenburgh is an international expert on oxidative stress and aging. Senescent aging involves both programmed changes in gene expression and detrimental cellular changes due to oxidative stress, inflammation, glycoxidation products, diminished repair mechanisms and apoptosis. The mitochondria play a key role in regulating cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis due to chronic oxidant production and/or the accumulation of mitochondrial mutations. Apoptosis in tissues occurs with age, but the mechanisms have not been thoroughly investigated. To better understand the role of apoptosis, mitochondrial function and mitochondrial mutations in muscle and the brain we have created mutator mice (Pol-G) and p66sch deficient mouse models. Pol-G mice show an accelerated aging phenotype and p66sch deficient mice show an extended life-span and enhanced resistance to mitochondrial induced apoptosis. Furthermore, in normally aging rats we are examining specific interventions (life-long caloric restriction, dietary interventions, and life-long exercise) which are able to attenuate cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. If the precise mechanisms underlying age-associated cell loss and cellular deterioration of myocytes and endothelial cells can be identified, it could help allow targeted interventions. He is involved in both basic (cell), animal model, and human studies.

Active Collaborations: Currently he is a member of a 1.2 million dollar Nephrology-based State of the Florida grant to investigate the effect of smoking on chronic renal disease that is in collaboration with Drs. Mark Segal, Hanno Richards and Westley Reeves, Richard Johnson and Chris Baylis.

Ulf Meier-Kriesche M.D.* (Associate Professor of Medicine and Eminent Scholar, Medical Director of Renal Transplantation)

Dr. Meier-Kriesche is internationally known for his research on transplantation outcomes. Working with a key group, including Dr. Jesse Schold (biostatistician), Dr. Titte Srinivas, Dr.. Guerra, Dr.. Vaghela and a nephrology-based clinical research staff, Dr. Meier-Kriesche has developed an outstanding program in clinical research that also interfaces with a renal transplantation fellowship program and with the T32 program.

Active Collaborations: Dr. Segal (Circulating Endothelial cell research)

Harry Nick PhD (Professor of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute)

Dr. Nick’s research involves molecular mechanisms regulating tissue specific gene expression with a concentration of genes involved in oxidant stress and inflammation (such as superoxide dismutase and enzymes involved eicosanoid metabolism). His studies are aimed at identifying regulatory elements that may modify gene transcription or translation, as well as the cognate signal transduction mechanisms. He has had significant interactions with the Division of Nephrology and trained Anupam Agarwal MD (currently Associate Professor at U of Alabama), Natalie Kapturczak (on the T32 grant, now with her own RO-1 and an Assistant Professor at U of Alabama), Dr. Jerry Stephanz, M.D. (Training period 7/88-7/90) Nephrologist (Wichita, Kansas), and Dr.. Wilfried Gwinner, M.D. (Training period 8/90-4/92), Professor, Division of Nephrology Univ.of Hanover, Hanover, Germany.

Active Collaborations:

Mohan Raizada PhD (Professor of Physiology, Physiology Functional Genomics Division)

Dr. Raizada is Professor of Physiology and an expert on the role of the renin angiotensin system in essential hypertension, particularly as it relates to neural mechanisms. Elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neural control of cardiovascular functions with emphasis on the brain Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS). Ongoing areas of investiagtion include: signal transduction mechanism of Ang II-induced Norepinephrine (NE) neuromodulation; mechanisms of Ang II-regulated NE neuromodulation in the neurons of the SHR; gene profiling techniques to identify known and unknown genes that are regulated by Ang-II in the brain and hypertension related genes; lentiviral and adenoviral-vector mediated gene transfer techniques to chronically regulate expression of altered genes in the brain and determine the outcome in cardiovascular functions in hypertensive rats; genetic Targeting of the RAS for the Control of Hypertension.

Active Collaborations: He is an expert on a variety of gene transfer systems using both lentiviral and AAV vectors, and is an active member of the Hypertension Center. He is currently collaborating with Dr. Chris Baylis to determine if overexpression of ACE2 in the kidney using a lentiviral system can slow kidney progression

Westley Reeves M.D. (Professor and Chair Division of Rheumatology, Eminent Scholar in Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Dr. Reeves is Professor of Medicine and Chief of Rheumatology. He is well known for his intricate studies on the autoimmune basis of systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly the generation of autoantibodies. He and another member of his faculty, Dr. Eric Sobel, have an active lupus clinic that is also staffed by Dr. Mark Segal and has a large clinical data base that is being used for clinical research studies via the GCRC. In addition, Dr. Reeves has a large basic science laboratory with significant collaboration and interaction with nephrology. Currently both Dr. Reeves and Dr. Segal are overseeing Pui Li, an MD PhD predoctoral candidate who is on the T32 grant.

Active Collaborations:

Betsy Shenkman PhD* (Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Director, Institute for Child Health Policy College of Medicine)

Dr. Shenkman is an expert in health services research and health policy with a focus on examining health care delivery systems and outcomes of care for children with chronic conditions. Her work also includes other vulnerable populations such as those who are poor and racial and ethnic minorities. In this part of the country a large number of subjects with end stage renal disease are poor and/or Black non-Hispanic (or African-American if you prefer that term).

Active Collaborations:

Mark Segal M.D. (Assistant Professor of Medicine, Nephrology Division and Co-Director of the T32 and Research Director of the Nephrology Division)

Dr. Segal is expected to be promoted to Associate Professor in 2006. Dr. Segal is nationally recognized for his innovative studies investigating the role of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells in kidney disease and diabetes, and for his studies on the role of the nitric oxide system in modulating endothelial precursor function. He is known for his exceptional mentoring skills and leadership, and was selected as Division Research Director based on his abilities. He has masterminded several important collaborative projects, including a State of Florida 1.2 million dollar grant to assess the effect of smoking on kidney disease (which involved as collaborators Dr. Baylis, Dr. Richards from Rheumatology and Dr. Johnson) and also a JDRF PPG grant on the role of angiogenesis in diabetic complications (involving Dr. Hauswirth, Dr. Grant, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Atkinson). His ability to bring groups together and to oversee the mentoring of the program has been appreciated by all. He also is leader of several teaching courses, including the Honors Biology Course for the Medical School. He is an expert in both basic and clinical research, and is involved in studies involving renal progression, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and hypertension. He is currently the primary mentor (with Wes Reeves) for Pui Li, a predoctoral student on the T32 grant.

Active Collaborations:

Peter Stacpoole M.D. (Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology Division and Director of General Clinical Research Center)

Dr. Stacpoole is Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and is Head of the GCRC for the University of Florida. His research has focused on genetic causes of lactic acidosis. In addition, he has developed an extensive teaching program in clinical research that complements the coursework of the K30 program led by Marian Limacher (another Program Faculty, see above). Dr. Stacpoole and his GCRC are currently actively involved with the nephrology program as there are 3 ongoing studies using the GCRC at this time.

Active Collaborations:

C. Craig Tisher, M.D. (Assoc. Vice President for Program Development Folke H. Peterson Distinguished Professor)

Dr. Tisher was awarded his undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota in 1958 and his M. D. degree in 1961 from Washington University of St. Louis. After completion of his internal medicine training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis and at the University of Washington in Seattle, he pursued his fellowship training in nephrology at the University of Washington. Dr. Tisher served for three years in the military at the Walter Reed Hospital and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C. before he joined the faculty at Duke University School of Medicine in 1969. In 1980, he accepted an appointment as professor of medicine and pathology and chief of the Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation at the University of Florida. Dr. Tisher is recognized both nationally and internationally for his writings and research in renal anatomy, pathology and physiology. He was awarded the Faculty Research Prize in the Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida in 1985 and was appointed to the Central Florida Kidney Center Eminent Scholar Chair in Nephrology in 1989. Dr. Tisher is also professor of anatomy and cell biology and a member of the department’s doctoral research faculty. He is past president of the American Society of Nephrology, past treasurer of the International Society of Nephrology, and past editor of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. He is the author of 124 peer-reviewed clinical and scientific articles, 84 chapters and has written and edited 9 books in the field of nephrology and pathology. In January 1998 Dr. Tisher accepted an appointment as senior associate dean in the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. In 1999 he was appointed to the Folke H. Peterson/Dean’s Distinguished Professorship and in 2001 was awarded the prestigious John P. Peters Award from the American Society of Nephrology. In April 2002 Dr Tisher was named Interim Dean of the College of Medicine and in September 2002 he was named Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. He was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society this same year. In early 2006 the Florida Medical Business publication identified Dr. Tisher among the top 10 influential physicians in Florida. Following his tenure as Dean in May 2007, he began serving as Associate Vice President for Program Development at the University of Florida.

Active Collaborations:

Jill Verlander Reed PhD (Associate Scientist and Director of College of Medicine Core Electron Microscopy Lab)

Jill Verlander Reed PhD Dr. Verlander Reed is an Associate Scientist in the Division of Nephrology and Head of the Core Electron Microscopy Laboratory for the College of Medicine. Internationally known for her detailed structure-function studies, she has been a major collaborator nationally and internationally when it comes to localizing transporters or other proteins within the kidney. She has worked with Dr. Tisher and Dr. Madsen for many years.

Active Collaborations: Dr. Charles S. Wingo, Dr. I. David Weiner, Dr. Susan M. Wall, Drs. Jeff Sands and Janet Klein

I David Weiner M.D. (Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, Chief, Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System)

Dr. Weiner is Professor of Medicine and Chief of Nephrology at the VA Medical Center. In addition to being a clinical expert on hypertension, particularly as it relates to renal artery stenosis and hyperaldosteronism, he has a very active basic science research program based on his recent discovery that ammonia transport occurs via specific transporters linked to the Rh blood group system. Dr. Weiner also is an expert on potassium transport and has actively worked with Dr. Charles Wingo in the past. He is a Florida Research Foundation Professor for 2007-2009.

Active Collaborations: Current collaborations included with Dr. Baylis, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Wingo and Dr. Verlander

Charles S Wingo, M.D. (Professor of Medicine, Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation Division)

Dr. Wingo is Professor of Medicine in Nephrology and Head of the Research (ACOS officer) at the George Randall Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He is an expert in renal physiology, particularly in transport. His primary interest in the regulation of H+,K+ ATPases and the mechanism of action of aldosterone. Most recently he has overseen studies by Michelle Gumz (a predoctoral student on the T32 grant) of the molecular and cellular response of collecting duct cells to aldosterone with Dr. Brian Cain (another Program Faculty). He has active collaborations with Drs Baylis, Cain and Kohan.

Charles Wood PhD (Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Functional Genomics Division, Director of General Clinical Research Center Sociology)

Dr. Wood is Chair of the Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics and an expert on fetal development of the cardiovascular system. He is an expert on evaluating the maternal-fetal relationship and has utilized sheep as well as rodents for these types of studies. He has extensive training experience and has trained 12 PhDs, 2 MS degree students, and 10 MD scientists. He is PI for a new T32 application entitled “Training in Endocrine, Metabolic, and Prenatal Basis of Chronic Renal Disease” which focuses primarily on developmental aspects related to kidney disease. He is also PI of a T35 grant to support short-time research studies by minority graduate students. His primary interactions with nephrology have related to research linked to fetal development and preeclampsia.