UMMC Physiology Professor's research leads to national award, lectureship

JACKSON, Miss. - Dr. Alejandro Chade, assistant professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has been selected by the American Physiological Society to receive the 2010 Lazaro J. Mandel Young Investigator Award and the 2010 Water and Electrolyte Homeostasis Section New Investigator Award.

The $4,000 Mandel Award, established in 1999, is given annually to a scientist who demonstrates outstanding promise based on his or her research in epithelial or renal physiology. Chade can apply the monetary award toward his research expenses.

The award is named in memory of Lazaro J. Mandel, professor of physiology at Duke University and long-standing APS member. In addition, as recipient of the Water and Electrolyte Award, Chade has been invited
to make a presentation at the Experimental Biology meeting in Anaheim, Calif. in April. Each recipient receives an honorarium of $1,000 and coverage of expenses.

The APS gives section awards yearly to young investigators based on outstanding contribution to physiology subject areas, one of which is water and electrolyte homeostasis. Chade's research focuses on identifying the mechanisms activated by chronic reduction in blood flow to the kidney. He found that chronic obstruction, brought on by inflammation and fibrosis of the arteries feeding blood to the kidneys, reduces the density of the kidney's tiniest blood vessels. That reduces circulation in the kidney and deteriorates function. By promoting new microvascular growth, kidney function significantly improves.

Chade holds an M.D. from the Universidad De Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. Following residency and fellowship in cardiology he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship and worked as a research associate specializing in nephrology and hypertension at the Mayo Clinic's Department of Internal Medicine. Chade joined UMMC in 2007 as an assistant professor.