Jing (Jason) O. Wu, PhD

An early-stage investigator with extensive training in vascular biology, immunobiology and renal physiology, Dr. Wu focuses on investigating renal hemodynamic mechanisms in hypertension and chronic kidney disease, examining how the vascular-immune interface regulates kidney perfusion and electrolyte handling, and exploring the susceptibility of these processes to genetic polymorphisms, oxidative stress and environmental toxicants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

While human exposure to PFAS has been linked to hypertension and renal dysfunction, a causal relationship has not yet been established. The team’s current research aims to elucidate the mechanistic effects of chronic PFAS exposure on microvascular dysfunction, renal inflammation, glomerulosclerosis and abnormalities in renal electrolyte transport. By leveraging expertise in vascular biology and renal physiology, combined with the advanced PFAS analytic chemistry capabilities of the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center and the Omics resources of the Program for Translational Multi-Omics, they are uniquely positioned to investigate the role of PFAS toxicity in the development of cardiovascular and kidney diseases.