1. Angiogenesis and Preeclampsia: Functional characterization of two novel secreted gene products of placental origin (sFlt1 and sEng)
2. Molecular Mechanisms of Proteinuria: To identify common pathways that lead the disruption of filtration barrier and proteinuria
Excess placental sFlt-1 may contribute to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia, Journal of Clinical Investigation 2003, 111:649-658
Circulating angiogenic factors and the risk of preeclampsia. New England Journal of Medicine 2004, 350:672-83
Urinary placental growth factor and the risk of preeclampsia. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2005, 293:77-85
Soluble endoglin contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Nature Medicine, 2006, 12:642-9
VEGF and TGF-beta are required for the maintenence of the choroid plexus and ependyma - Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2008, 205:491-501
External Recognition:
1. American Society of Nephrology- Carl Gottschalk Research Scholar Award - 2002
2. Preeclampsia foundation Hope Award - 2006
3. Young Scholar Award - American Society of Hypertension - 2007
4. Inducted - American Society for Clinical Investigation - 2007
5. Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute - 2008
6. Young Investigator Award, American Society of Nephrology - 2008
Major Collaborative Activities:
In collaboration with Dr. Kee-Hak Lim, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at BIDMC, plans are underway for a Phase Ib/2a clinical trial in preeclampsia.