Amanda Suda, MS

2025 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Award

Institution: University of Pittsburgh

Project Title: Epithelial-derived miR-17~92 regulates Jak/Stat, serving in female renoprotection from acute kidney injury

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

My research focuses on female renoprotection in acute kidney injury (AKI) and the role of sex-differentially expressed microRNAs (miRs) in tubular injury from renal ischemia.

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

My research aims to understand the sexually dimorphic regulation of the Janus kinase and Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak/Stat) pathway by microRNA cluster 17~92 during ischemic-AKI. It is known that the female sex is less susceptible to AKI, but few mechanisms have been identified or functionally tested. My research analyzes the role of miR-17~92 on Jak/Stat signaling during the early stages of kidney injury in vitro using age-matched male and female human donor renal tissue and in vivo using an ischemia reperfusion injury model with conditional OEmiR-17~92 and KOmiR-17~92 mice.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

What inspired me to focus my research in this area is a longstanding passion for women's health and aging. Despite making up half the global population, women are consistently underrepresented in biomedical research across nearly every organ system. This gap has contributed to limited understanding of how diseases manifest and respond to treatment in women. In the field of nephrology, the recognition of sex differences in kidney function is still emerging—but it holds transformative potential to improve health outcomes for all individuals, across every stage of life.

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

I hope that my research will help identify specific risk factors for kidney disease and inform preventative strategies that ultimately enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. Beyond that, I aspire for my work to inspire further investigation into sex-specific differences in kidney function and disease mechanisms, particularly during critical life stages such as perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy.

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

By the end of this grant period, I anticipate completing my doctorate and transitioning into a postdoctoral position. During my postdoctoral training, I aim to continue developing as a scientist—publishing impactful research and broadening my technical and conceptual skill set. My ten-year goal is to obtain a faculty position and lead an enthusiastic, collaborative research lab. I envision my future work focusing on sex differences in renal tissue regeneration as well as the impact of aging and reproductive transitions on women's overall health.

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

A major challenge I've encountered at the start of my career in kidney research—particularly in basic science—has been finding mentors who are invested in exploring the intersection of women's health and kidney biology. That said, I've been fortunate to have mentors who have been genuinely supportive, encouraging and guiding the development of my research interests as they evolve in this direction.

Something you may not know about me is…

Something you may not know about me is that I followed a non-traditional educational path. As a first-generation college graduate, I began at community college and started my undergraduate studies at the age of 25. This journey has deeply shaped my belief that it's never too late to begin taking meaningful steps toward reshaping your future.

In my free time…

I enjoy bouldering, running long distances, gardening, and taking long walks in the sun.