Robert Bronstein, PhD, a faculty research investigator in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Stony Brook University's Renaissance School of Medicine, has been awarded a grant from KidneyCure to support his research on the kidney glomerulus. The glomerulus is the central filtration unit of the kidney and plays a key role in its function.
Bronstein is among 23 early career researchers nationwide who received a 2025 award from KidneyCure. He is one of nine recipients under the Transition to Independence Grants Program, which aims to help young investigators establish independent research careers. According to KidneyCure, these grantees are “future leaders in nephrology research ‘who are making discoveries that will improve the lives of people with kidney diseases.’”
Bronstein’s work focuses on understanding how different cell types within the glomerulus respond during disease processes. Damage to this filtration unit can limit normal kidney function and may lead to end-stage kidney disease.
“Overall, our work aims to understand the different cellular players that make up this filtration unit in the kidney glomerulus and how they are adversely affected during instances of pathology, which we hope will lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches that will preserve kidney function and quality of life,” explains Dr. Bronstein.
He notes that recent studies have shown proteins in the AP-1 transcription factor complex play a role in how glomerular parietal epithelial cells contribute to crescentic glomerulonephritis progression. The new funding will allow further investigation into how AP-1 regulates these cells’ dynamics in human diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
The KidneyCure grant provides $200,000 over two years for Bronstein’s project, which he conducts at the Mallipattu Lab at Stony Brook University where he has worked since 2020.
For more information about Dr. Bronstein’s research, see this Q & A link.