Research Summary
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that plays important roles in development, vascular biology, immune cell trafficking, carcinogenesis and other physiological processes. S1P mediates its actions primarily by signaling through a family of G protein-coupled receptors. Our research group is investigating the role of S1P metabolism and signaling in development and disease using cellular and animal models, translational approaches and metabolomics profiling. Our recent findings demonstrate that defects in S1P metabolism underlie a novel childhood syndrome characterized by defects of kidney, adrenal gland, neurological system, skin and immune system.
Research Funding
June 15, 2018 - May 31, 2022 - Endogenous and Dietary Sphingolipids as Modulators in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Principal Investigator. Sponsor: NIH/NIDDK, Sponsor Award ID: R01DK115669
August 1, 2007 - June 30, 2015 - S1P Lyase in colon cancer, Principal Investigator. Sponsor: NIH/NCI, Sponsor Award ID: R01CA129438
June 1, 2014 - May 31, 2015 - Agilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, Principal Investigator. Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: S10OD018070
June 15, 2013 - June 14, 2014 - IVIS Spectrum small animal imaging system, Principal Investigator. Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: S10OD010335
Education
The Johns Hopkins University, MD, B.S., 05/1981, Natural Sciences
University of Maryland, School of Medicine, MD, M.D., 05/1985, Medicine
The Johns Hopkins University, MD, M.A., 05/1986, Creative Writing
Duke University, NC, Ph.D., 05/1996, Cell Biology