Melina Messing, PhD

2025 Jared J. Grantham Research Fellowship Award

Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara

Project Title: Immune Mechanisms Underlying Efficacy of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy in Polycystic Kidney Disease

How would you sum up your overall research focus in one sentence?

I study how immune mechanisms respond to dietary and metabolic triggers in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to develop personalized, non-pharmacological therapies for kidney patients.

Provide a brief overview of the research you will conduct with help from the grant.

With support from the Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship, I will investigate how Western diet-induced inflammation drives PKD progression and how the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) counteracts these effects, using a novel rat model and clinical patient samples to identify immune biomarkers that can guide personalized nutritional interventions.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

As both a trained immunologist and someone living with PKD, I have a unique personal and professional drive to uncover science-backed interventions that offer patients real, accessible tools to manage their disease beyond medication alone.

What impact do you hope your research will have on patients?

I hope to empower patients with tools to monitor and manage PKD through lifestyle and nutritional interventions that are validated by immune biomarkers—bridging scientific discovery with practical, personalized care.

What are your career goals at the end of the grant period? Five years out? Ten years out?

At the end of the grant, I aim to be a competitive candidate for independent funding with strong preliminary data and clinical collaborations. In five years, I envision leading a lab that focuses on immune-nutritional therapies for chronic kidney diseases while training the next generation of scientists, especially those from under-represented backgrounds. In ten years, I hope to be a recognized leader in the field, advancing patient-centered, precision medicine across nephrology and related disciplines.

What are the major challenges to beginning a career in nephrology research today?

A major challenge is the limited funding and institutional support for non-traditional interventions like nutrition and lifestyle changes, which—despite promising results—remain underutilized in clinical nephrology.

Something you may not know about me is…

that I was born and raised in Germany, earned my MSc in Sweden and my PhD in Canada, and now conduct research in the United States—an international journey that shapes my inclusive, cross-disciplinary approach to science.

In my free time I like to…

play the cello in a local symphony orchestra. Music has always been a grounding force in my life—it offers a creative outlet and emotional balance that complements the intensity and precision of scientific research. Performing classical works with others reminds me of the value of collaboration, discipline, and staying present in the moment.