Robert Van Sciver, PhD

2026 Carl W. Gottschalk Research Scholar Grant

Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Project Title: Unraveling the Ciliary Driver of Polycystic Kidney Disease

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

The Van Sciver lab investigates the precise molecular mechanisms governing primary cilia biology to discover how disrupted ciliary signaling drives the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

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

Our preliminary work demonstrated that disrupting the ciliary localization or enzymatic GEF activity of the regulatory GTPase ARL13B suppresses severe renal cystogenesis in adult PKD mouse models. With the support of this grant, we will utilize pairwise biochemical analyses to identify the broader network of downstream GTPases activated by ARL13B. Concurrently, we will deploy in vivo mouse models to directly test whether its primary downstream interactor, ARL3, acts as the definitive driver of the cilia-dependent cyst activation pathway.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

I have always been deeply drawn to hypothesis-driven research that allows me to use precise genetic tools to answer specific, complex biological questions. The primary cilium is an exquisite, compartmentalized organelle that acts as a cellular antenna, making it the perfect focal point for this mechanism-driven approach. Unraveling how tiny molecular disruptions inside this structure lead to systemic organ failure in PKD provides both a massive intellectual challenge and a profound opportunity for discovery.

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

I hope that mapping these precise ciliary signaling networks will uncover multiple novel therapeutic targets to slow, stop, or potentially even reverse PKD progression. Currently, patients have limited therapeutic options that often come with severe systemic side effects. By targeting the disease at its sub-cellular root, we can pave the way for highly effective precision medicines that fundamentally improve long-term patient quality of life.

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

At the conclusion of this grant, my goal is to publish our findings on ciliary effectors underlying PKD and leverage this foundational data into long-term federal funding. Looking five to ten years out, my focus is on building a robust, enduring research program that consistently pushes the boundaries of PKD and cilia biology. Central to this vision is cultivating a healthy, collaborative laboratory environment where I can train the next generation of scientists to ask rigorous questions and possess the confidence to answer them.

What has surprised you most about your career?

I have been incredibly surprised and heartened by how remarkably welcoming and supportive the PKD research community is. While academic science occasionally has a reputation for being hyper-competitive, my experience here has been exactly the opposite; it is a community of scholars that actively lifts each other up without compromising research rigor. Established investigators are genuinely eager to collaborate, share rare reagents, and offer resources to help early-career labs like mine succeed.

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

I would highly encourage applicants to lean into their unique technical expertise and propose bold, hypothesis-driven questions that they are genuinely passionate about answering. Don't be afraid to highlight how your distinct perspective can push the field forward, and remember that the supportive nature of the nephrology community means your work will be evaluated by peers who truly want to see your science succeed.

Something you may not know about me is…

That despite my current focus on kidney disease, my foundational training actually began in chemical engineering and microfluidics. Transitioning from engineering to developmental and cell biology gave me a structural, mechanism-focused approach to looking at cellular systems that still shapes how I design experiments today.

In my free time, I like to…

Dive into the complex world of freshwater aquascaping and managing community aquariums, which is its own fun exercise in balancing biological parameters and species interactions.