Lilach O. Lerman, M.D., Ph.D., directs the Renovascular Disease Research Laboratory, which focuses on the development and application of techniques to study renal and cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology in animal models and in humans.

Specific areas of interest include renovascular disease, cardiorenal interactions, and the kidney and myocardial microcirculation. Dr. Lerman's team is engaged in short-term and long-term studies to establish mechanisms of renal and cardiac injury and adaptation to cardiovascular risk factors; the metabolic syndrome; obesity; and atherosclerosis, including vascular remodeling, inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis.

Research tools used include wet-lab methods, as well as sophisticated, high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer-based modeling, and image analysis.

Disease mechanisms are often initially investigated in vivo using imaging and subsequently correlated with tissue alterations determined with ex-vivo imaging, molecular biology and cell culture techniques. Current therapeutic targets and interventions include regenerative medicine (stem cell-based therapy), injury reversibility by revascularization and novel drugs.

Dr. Lerman's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association, among other organizations.