Michael A. Ortega, Ph.D.

Biography: Dr. Ortega received his PhD in Reproductive and Developmental Biology studying replication and DNA damage response in early embryogenesis while at the Institute for Biogenesis Research at the University of Hawaii. He then went to the University of Virginia for his postdoctoral studies to better understand the mechanisms that govern replication and genomic instability. Thereafter, he returned to Hawaii where he further trained with the NIH supported Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) program and honed his research on damage and stress response mechanisms underlying kidney disease. Dr. Ortega is currently supported by a 3 year R21 through NIH/NIDDK and was recently competitively selected as a research project leader with the Diabetes Research Center at the University of Hawaii as part of the COBRE-Diabetes NIGMS grant.

 

Research: Research in the Ortega lab spans the fields of cellular stress and damage response within the scope of kidney disease. His lab’s mission is to investigate and deconvolute the fundamental mechanisms that drive chronic inflammatory responses in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This endeavor encompasses fundamental molecular and translational strategies, as well as the development of deep learning models to inform an evolving kidney-focused research program. By dissecting the underpinnings of CKD signaling mechanisms, his lab aims to establish a solid foundation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies that protect, preserve, and restore kidney health.