Ronald Canlla

2026 Predoctoral Fellowship Award

Institution: University of Pennsylvania

Project Title: Engineering Remote Control Over Human Kidney Epithelial Morphogenesis

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

My research focuses on understanding and engineering the developmental signals that govern kidney tissue formation and organization.

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

Kidney function depends on a highly branched collecting duct network that forms during development, yet human kidney organoids currently offer limited control over tissue architecture. My research uses optogenetic tools to precisely control RET signaling, a key pathway that regulates kidney branching morphogenesis. By controlling where and when RET is activated, I aim to determine how developmental signaling programs shape epithelial organization in human kidney tissues. These studies will reveal principles for engineering and directing tissue architecture.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

My interest in this area arose from the prevalence of kidney disease in my family. Growing up, I could only witness how genetic and socioeconomic factors, along with the limitations of current treatments, leave patients vulnerable to chronic illness and kidney failure. Pursuing a PhD has allowed me to channel those experiences into research focused on understanding kidney development and how that knowledge can be used to create new opportunities for treating kidney disease.

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

I hope my research will establish new strategies for engineering functional kidney tissues, ultimately expanding future treatment options for patients with kidney disease.

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, I will complete my PhD and publish findings from my dissertation research. Five years out, I plan to pursue postdoctoral training that expands my expertise in kidney regeneration and translational research. Ten years out, I aspire to establish an independent research program focused on engineering human kidney tissue systems to study disease and advance regenerative therapies.

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

One of the biggest challenges is the limited funding available for kidney research, which can constrain the scope and pace of scientific discovery. Additionally, many fundamental and translational questions in kidney biology remain unanswered, requiring collaboration across multiple scientific disciplines.

In one sentence, please describe the importance of having grant funding available through KidneyCure.

KidneyCure funding empowers early-career investigators to pursue ambitious ideas and conduct cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of our current understanding of kidney biology and disease.

Something you may not know about me is…

I met FIFA World Cup winners Manuel Neuer and Benjamin Pavard. When I told Neuer my mom was a huge fan of his, he gave me an extra signed photo print for her.

In my free time I like to…

play and watch soccer (FC Bayern Munich is my favorite team), watch anime, practice guitar, and attend concerts.