Eman Gohar, MSc, PhD

2022 Carl W. Gottschalk Research Scholar Grant

Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Project Title: Intrarenal Aromatase-dependent Regulation of Sodium Excretion

How would you sum up your research in one sentence?

My research targets improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in hypertension and associated cardiovascular and renal disease, with a focus on estrogenic signaling in the kidney.

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

We will test the hypothesis that renal medullary aromatase, the key enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, is regulated by sex hormonal status and promotes natriuresis via stimulating G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER1) signaling.  Specifically, we will determine whether renal medullary aromatase is regulated by the systemic sex hormonal level in rats. Further, we will test whether locally synthesized estradiol in the kidney promotes natriuresis in rats via activation of renal medullary GPER1 signaling.

What inspired you to focus your research in this area?

I got motivated to study this line of research because of the lack of the knowledge about the impact of sex and sex steroids on the renal function. The vast majority of preclinical and clinical studies are still being conducted in males, either in cells or animals or humans.

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

The proposed studies will forward our understanding of how intrarenal aromatase contributes to the protection of premenopausal women against hypertension. This will yield targetable therapeutic avenues that could transform the field of how we treat hypertension, particularly in postmenopausal women.

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

This proposal will allow me to acquire the conceptual expertise that I need to merge different disciplines and become an expert in Renal and Cardiovascular Endocrinology, which will eventually advance our understanding about the kidney as an endocrine organ. My long-term career goal is to establish a strong research program using integrative approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying male-female differences in hypertension and eventually provide therapeutic targets for gender-specific antihypertensive medications.

What are the major challenges facing nephrology research today?

One of the major challenges facing nephrology research today is gender-related disparities within the clinical and preclinical research settings.

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

The presence of grant funding through KidneyCure provides an excellent opportunity for junior researchers to get feedback from experts in the field.

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

Perseverance is a major key to success in academic life. Keep trying! Securing such prestigious funding validates the scientific ideas and increases the likelihood of getting independent funding.

Something you may not know about me is…

I enjoy traveling around the world, particularly visiting my family and friends in Alexandria, Egypt.

In my free time I like to…

When I am not in the lab, I enjoy hiking and cooking with my kids.