Bina Joe, PhD

I am a biomedical scientist researching hypertension—or high blood pressure—the number one risk factor for heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease. Our focus is to understand why we are prone to inherit hypertension in families and to gain insight into why a high-salt diet increases blood pressure. In recent years, we have discovered that tiny, harmless microorganisms living inside our gut [microbiota] are major players in regulating our blood pressure. This new finding could one day lead to a new and improved clinical management strategy for clinicians to treat hypertension. 

Unlike in the 19th century, when infectious diseases were the top reasons for human deaths, cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and stroke are the top reasons for human deaths today. Hypertension is the number one risk factor for these illnesses. In recent years, we have made a pioneering discovery that, in addition to the genes in our DNA, our gut microbiota and their genes also regulate blood pressure. This discovery has opened doors to the possibility of manipulating the population of the microbiota in our gut and elsewhere to manage normal blood pressure. If successful, this strategy could one day lead to the use of microorganisms as a new and improved clinical management strategy for clinicians to treat hypertension.

Besides science, I am passionate about classical dance. I am trained to be a teacher in the Indian classical dance called Bharatanatya. This form of dance is similar to ballet in the West. More than just performing, I love to teach this art form to our younger generation here in the U.S.  On weekends, I teach dance. I bring in my research capabilities to keep Bharatanatya relevant and meaningful to current generations of learners as well as their audiences. My students have performed at various international events. I love to see these youngsters imbibe this dance form and enrich their lives with the philosophy of dance.