Coschigano received a two-year $221,250 NIH award in March for her grant proposal, “Cross-talk between growth hormone and inflammation pathways in kidney damage.”

“Evidence is mounting that the innate immune system plays a role in the development of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, as well as the ensuing complications, including nephropathy [kidney disease],” Coschigano said.

She and her team study kidney damage in mice with different levels of growth hormone (GH) signaling, ranging from over-expression to complete lack of GH signaling. They already have linked over-expressed GH signaling with increased inflammation in kidney damage. This NIH study will test the effects of disrupted GH signaling on such inflammation.

Coschigano has studied the effects of growth hormone on kidney damage for about 12 years—ever since she came to the university as a postdoctoral researcher to work with John Kopchick, Ph.D., Goll-Ohio Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at OU-COM and the Edison Biotechnology Institute.

According to Coschigano, this research could aid the design of targeted diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of diabetic kidney disease—while engaging students in the process.

“The main goal of this NIH AREA (Academic Research Enhancement Award) grant is to fund research that involves students,” Coschigano said. “Hands-on experience was provided to me as an undergraduate, and it played a major role in my career decision. This award allows me to provide similar opportunities to students and to increase our knowledge of a devastating disease, diabetic nephropathy.”