Joanna Cunanan, MS

2025 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award

Institution: Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network

Project Title: Understanding the Role of PAX2 in Glomerular Repair

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

I am studying novel mechanisms governing normal and abnormal repair in a mouse model with a mutation in a gene called Pax2.

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

It is well known that congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract or CAKUT can be caused by mutations in PAX2, a gene that encodes a transcription factor critical for kidney development. However, some patients can have subclinical forms of CAKUT that manifests as adult onset FSGS. Though PAX2 is downregulated as kidney development progresses, there are some cells that continue to express PAX2 and it is postulated that these retain some stem-like, regenerative capability. I have a particular interest in parietal epithelial cells (PEC) which express PAX2 and are comparatively understudied. In my initial work published in AJP Renal (PMID: 38482556), I presented data that suggest PECs with mutant compared to wildtype Pax2 do not contribute to repair after podocyte injury in mice. Now as I enter the latter half of my PhD studies funded by the ASN pre-doctoral fellowship award, I am characterizing the molecular pathways that mediate these descriptive pathologic changes through proteomics and single cell sequencing approaches.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

My interest in kidney disease research began during a summer student opportunity at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, where I shadowed pediatric nephrologists and was struck by the limited treatment options for children with kidney disease. This is where I first learned that kidney research is one of the most underfunded areas in medicine. Despite these challenges but with the recognition of the life altering consequences of being burdened by kidney disease, I pursued a Master of Science (MSc) with Dr. Darren Bridgewater (McMaster University) exploring the developmental origins of kidney disease. It is this foundation that now drives my current PhD research with Dr. Moumita Barua at Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto.

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

By the end of the grant period, my goal is to complete my PhD and share my findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Over the next five years, I plan to complete postdoctoral training in areas such as stem cell and regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, and drug delivery; fields I hope to integrate into innovative approaches for developing novel therapeutics in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ten years from now, I intend to pursue the principal investigator academic track, where I can apply the expertise that I have built through rigorous training towards starting my own research program. I also want to mentor the next generation of scientists and continue advancing kidney research through both discovery and teaching.

What advice would you give to others to encourage them to apply for this grant funding?

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I have received from all my mentors is to continuously invest in developing strong scientific writing skills. Whether it is preparing a manuscript for publication, an abstract for a conference presentation, or writing a grant application, these are essential opportunities to learn how to communicate your research clearly and effectively, in a way that scientists and non-specialists can understand. Applying for grants like the KidneyCure pre-doctoral fellowship not only helps fund your research but also pushes you to grow as a communicator, which is a crucial skill for any scientist at any stage of their career.

Something you may not know about me is…

My first research experience as an undergraduate student was studying a fascinating fish species called the Plainfin Midshipman in the lab of Dr. Sigal Balshine. Dr. Balshine was the first person to inspire my interest in research; her engaging teaching style and the way she led her lab left a lasting impression on me and sparked my interest in having my own lab one day!

In my free time I like to…

Travel and immerse myself in different cultures—whether it's trying new foods, learning local customs, or exploring historical sites. During the second year of my PhD, I had the opportunity to conduct a collaborative research project at the University of Florence in Italy with Dr. Paola Romagnani to study the roles of PAX2 in regeneration in glomerular disease. In this 3-month visit, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to travel in Italy, explore its most iconic landscapes and historical landmarks, and experience the best of Italian cuisine!