Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin Medical College of Wisconsin
Research Lab Bench
Physiology
Pablo Nakagawa, PhD

Pablo Nakagawa, PhD

Assistant Professor

Contact Information

Biography

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death, and one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension. Every day, at least 1,000 Americans die due to hypertension, and although several anti-hypertensive treatments are available, about half of hypertensive patients do not have their blood pressure under control. Therefore, after receiving his PhD from the University of Buenos Aires, Dr. Nakagawa has committed his career to understanding the pathogenesis of hypertension and mechanisms that contribute to blood pressure elevation and autonomic dysfunction. During his PhD training, Dr. Nakagawa was mentored by Dr. Oscar A. Carretero, and his work was centered on understanding the cardioprotective effects of a naturally occurring tetrapeptide, Acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP), in hypertension and cardiac inflammation. Dr. Nakagawa was then trained as a postdoc at the University of Iowa under Dr. Curt Sigmund mentorship, where his studies were focused on the understanding of central mechanisms of blood pressure regulation. Specifically, his work contributed to elucidating the role of the alternative renin isoform (Renin-b) and the role of the prorenin receptor in blood pressure regulation and autonomic function. In 2019, Dr. Nakagawa received the NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award, which was instrumental in his promotion to Faculty and led to the start of his independent research program.

Professional Affiliations:
American Heart Association
American Physiological Society
International Society of Hypertension

Mentoring and Training:
I believe in 1) Respect, 2) Integrity, 3) Teamwork, 4) Diversity, and 5) Professionalism. My main goal is to support each other to create an optimal and healthy environment for individual, scientific, and professional development. My philosophy is that science is not a final goal but an opportunity for personal development. My personal vision is that through science, we can create lifelong relationships. Learning from others and helping others to improve is a path to becoming our best version.

Honors and Awards

2012 Henry Ford Hospital - Research Symposia, First Place Award, best research presentation in physiology and pathophysiology
2012 American Heart Association - Council of High Blood Pressure, Poster Award
2018 Gordon Conference Travel Award
2019 Medical College of Wisconsin - Research Day poster competition, Outstanding Presentation Award
2019 Medical College of Wisconsin - Postdoc Advisory Committee, Travel Award
2019 NIH – K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Grant
2020 American Heart Association - Hypertension Scientific Sessions, AFHRE Travel Grants for Support of Underrepresented Minorities
2022 American Physiological Society – Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation, New Investigator Award
2022 Advancing Healthy Wisconsin Grant
2023 American Heart Association – Council on Hypertension Stephanie Watts Career Development Award – Finalist
2023 American Heart Association – Career Development Award
2024 Medical College of Wisconsin – Cardiovascular Center Michael Keelan Award
2024 Medical College of Wisconsin – Office of Global Health grant

Research Interests

Currently, Dr. Nakagawa’s scientific questions are centered on understanding molecular and neurogenic mechanisms implicated in the development of hypertension. His research is focused on the identification of novel renin-producing neurons in the brainstem. This discovery might solve a 50-year scientific problem and contribute to elucidating how the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) operates within key nuclei within the brainstem. The ultimate goal is to address how overactivation of the brain RAS results in autonomic imbalance and hypertension and identify strategies to regulate the brain RAS. To study hypotheses, the lab utilizes 1) genetically engineered models to manipulate the expression of genes in the brain, 2) induce expression of fluorescent reporter genes or genetically encoded biosensors to label & trace distinct proteins and cells in the brain, 3) methods to study the activity of neuronal circuits, and 4) methods to activate and suppress these circuits such as optogenetics and chemogenetic approaches. State-of-the-art techniques are used to assess cardiovascular & autonomic function.

Publications

Publications of Pablo Nakagawa PhD from the Faculty Collaboration Database