Dr. Renu Sah's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how airway inflammation, particularly from asthma, affects fear regulation and may contribute to conditions like PTSD. By studying mouse models, the lab investigates the immune and neural mechanisms at play, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic targets for treating fear-related disorders. Their research is particularly relevant for understanding how asthma and other pulmonary pathologies can influence mental health.

Dr. Konstantinos Drosatos' lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how diabetes affects heart function, particularly through a protein called GLUT1 that helps transport glucose into heart cells. The lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to heart failure in diabetic patients and explore potential therapies to prevent this condition. Their research could lead to new treatments that improve heart health for individuals suffering from diabetes.

Dr. Yigang Wang's lab focuses on understanding heart failure, a serious condition affecting millions globally. They explore how specific molecules, called miRNAs, impact heart cells and contribute to heart disease. By studying the mechanisms behind these processes, the lab aims to develop innovative therapies to mitigate heart failure and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Jing Tang's lab is focused on enhancing diagnostic techniques for coronary artery disease using advanced imaging methods. By integrating machine learning with 4D imaging, the lab aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of myocardial perfusion assessments, which can lead to better patient outcomes in heart disease treatment. The research explores new methodologies that could significantly increase the effectiveness of non-invasive cardiac evaluations.

Dr. Maria Czyzyk-Krzeska's lab focuses on understanding the role of copper metabolism in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a common and aggressive type of kidney cancer. By investigating how copper accumulation affects tumor growth and metabolism, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to improve treatment outcomes for patients. Their research combines cell line models and patient-derived tumor grafts to uncover critical mechanisms in cancer progression.

Dr. W Sean Davidson's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), often referred to as 'good cholesterol.' The lab aims to explore how different HDL forms function in protecting against heart disease and diabetes. Through a combination of laboratory experiments and computational modeling, the team investigates the molecular mechanisms of cholesterol transport and the role of specific HDL particles in cardiovascular health.

Dr. Chen Gao's lab focuses on understanding how the degradation of RNA molecules influences the development of heart diseases, particularly heart hypertrophy. By studying the mechanisms of mRNA stability and degradation in heart cells, the lab aims to uncover new potential targets for treating cardiovascular diseases. Their research combines advanced sequencing technologies with mouse models to explore gene regulation in response to stress and other physiological changes.

Dr. Hyacinth Idu Hyacinth's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how small blood vessel diseases in the brain contribute to racial disparities in cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment. They explore how genetic and vascular risk factors differ among racial groups, particularly between Black and White Americans, and how these differences influence the likelihood of developing dementia. Their ultimate goal is to identify high-risk populations to tailor prevention and treatment strategies.

Dr. Karthickeyan Chella Krishnan's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how a liver gene called L-PK influences cholesterol metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis, particularly in a sex-specific context. By using a range of advanced techniques, the lab investigates how variations in L-PK affect liver function and lipid levels, which are crucial for preventing metabolic diseases. The research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets for managing cholesterol-related health issues.

Dr. Stacie Demel's lab focuses on understanding how metabolic changes in the body relate to recovery from a type of stroke called intracerebral hemorrhage. Specifically, they study how these metabolic responses differ by race and ethnicity, especially among Black and Hispanic populations who experience higher rates of stroke. Through analyzing blood samples and other data, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments that can help improve recovery outcomes for these patients.

Dr. Hong-Sheng Wang's research lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how micro- and nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles) affect heart health. These particles are commonly found in the environment and can accumulate in the human body, potentially leading to serious heart problems. The lab conducts experiments using advanced models to explore how these plastics cause damage to heart cells and affect heart function. Their work aims to reveal critical information about the risks posed by these environmental contaminants to human cardiac health.

Dr. Yu Luo's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how specific signaling pathways in the brain, particularly those involving microglia and astrocytes, affect brain health and diseases like stroke and Alzheimer's. The research aims to uncover the roles of the TGF-beta signaling pathway in maintaining healthy brain cells and to explore how the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid contribute to cognitive function, especially during aging and in neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Sarah W. Whitton's lab focuses on understanding the mental health challenges faced by young sexual minority women, who experience particularly high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Through a comprehensive longitudinal study, the research aims to identify risk and protective factors influencing mental health outcomes in this group, examining how different mechanisms—biological, psychological, and social—interact with stress related to minority status. The ultimate goal is to leverage these insights to develop effective, culturally sensitive interventions to improve mental health care for sexual minority women.

Dr. Eric S Wohleb's lab at the University of Cincinnati investigates how chronic stress impacts the brain, particularly focusing on how stress causes changes in neurons that can lead to mental health disorders like PTSD and depression. The research looks at DNA damage in stressed neurons and how it alters gene activity and neuron structure. By understanding these processes, the lab aims to find new ways to treat stress-related cognitive issues.

Dr. Nalinikanth Kotagiri's lab focuses on innovative imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lung infections, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research involves developing specialized imaging probes that can identify specific bacteria causing infections, which are crucial for targeted therapies. By using cutting-edge imaging technologies, the lab aims to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes and patient management.

Dr. Thomas B Thompson's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding the TGF-beta family of signaling molecules and how they regulate critical biological processes such as fetal development and adult health. Using cutting-edge techniques from structural biology, biophysics, and computational methods, the lab aims to uncover the details of how these molecules interact and function, which is crucial for developing new therapies for diseases like cancer and cardiovascular issues.

Dr. James P. Herman's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how traumatic stress affects the brain and behavior. The research aims to identify the underlying mechanisms in the brain that contribute to disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By exploring the specific brain circuits involved in stress responses, the lab hopes to develop new treatment strategies to help individuals exposed to severe stress manage their reactions and improve their well-being.