Jennifer Pluznick, PhD

My team and I have found sensory receptors (including olfactory receptors) are expressed in the kidney and in blood vessels, and that individual receptors play functional roles in whole-animal physiology. We are really curious to understand the role of these unique receptors in whole-animal physiology. Some of the receptors that we study are activated by compounds produced by the gut microbiota; thus, we are also very interested in the role of the gut microbiota in physiology.

We are certainly excited about the potential pathophysiological implications of our work. Some of the receptors we study impact blood pressure control, glucose handling or pH balance. These things are all important to better understand in the context of disease—maybe by studying these receptors, we can even learn to manipulate these parameters in disease. However, taking a step back, we are also incredibly interested to better understand how the kidney works under ‘normal’ (non-diseased) conditions. The kidney plays a pivotal role as a master controller of homeostasis and there’s still a lot we don’t understand about how it accomplishes that. 

I have always really enjoyed music (I play the violin and try to play other instruments) and I get a kick out all types of water sports. However, I’ve never been good enough at any of those things to make a living. I’m most inspired by my parents and extended family—hilarious, clever, hard-working people who always put others first—it’s a high bar to try to live up to!