About the Research Team
We are the Cardiovascular Neurophysiology Laboratory, where we are dedicated to investigating the role of peripheral neural control of cardiovascular and renal health and disease. Our current research projects are focused on studying the role of peripheral sensory nerves in the development and maintenance of (a) hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) and (b) polycystic kidney disease. Sensory nerves in the kidney appear to also contribute to both the development and maintenance of several models of experimental cardiovascular and kidney disease through a gradual, pathological elevation in renal afferent nerve activity. It is unclear what is driving this change in activity, as well as the physiological responses to both acute and chronic sensory nerve activation. We employ chronic telemetry-based approaches as well as acute electrophysiological preparations to evaluate the changes in nerve activity and the corresponding cardiovascular and renal responses. Additionally, we take a molecular approach to study the particular proteins and non-peptide signals that may be the primary drivers of sensory nerve activation.
Laboratory Technology and Experimental Expertise:
- TSE Stellar Blood Pressure Telemetry System (Mouse/Rat)
- Kaha Telemetry System for Arterial Pressure and Sympathetic Nerve Activity Recording
- Medibeacon Mouse/Rat Non-Invasive GFR Measurement System
- Tecniplast Mouse/Rat Metabolic Caging with Sample Cooling System
- DMT Mulvany Wire-Myography for Vascular, Myometrial, and Striated Muscle Function Measurement
- Multi-unit Nerve Recording Multi-Channel Differential Amplifier and PowerLab/LabChart for In Vivo Electrophysiological Studies
- Multiple Recovery Surgeries, including targeted peripheral nerve ablation and chronic catheterization
- Tissue Molecular Analysis (Western Blotting, ELISA, HPLC)
If interested in collaborating or joining the team (postdocs, graduate students, undergards), please contact Dr. Banek by email.
Follow Us on Twitter!: @Banek_Lab
Current Research Support:
- R01DK135573 (PI: Banek), National Institutes of Health (NIDDK), 12/2023 - 11/2028 | Renal Denervation to Treat Polycystic Kidney Disease: Mechanisms and Mediators
- 1022534 (PI: Banek), Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation (PKDF) Research Grant, 07/2023 - 06/2025 | Renal Innervation and Nerve Activity Influence on Cystic Progression in ARPKD
- U24DK126110 (PI: Watnick; Subaward PI: Banek), National Institutes of Health (NIDDK), Pilot and Feasibility Award, 07/2022 - 06/2024| Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease Progression: Role of Renal Autonomic DysregulationK99/R00HL141650 (PI: Banek), National Institutes of Health (NHLBI), 08/2019 - 08/2023 | Renal Denervation to Treat Hypertension: Mechanisms and Mediators
- R01HD111125 (PI: Erickson; Co-I: Banek), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 08/2023 - 07/2028 | Oxytocin Sensitivity and Postpartum Hemorrhage: Testing Genetic and Epigenetic Biomarkers for Improving Maternal Morbidity
- 21PRE216068 (PI: Gauthier; Mentor: Banek), American Heart Association's Predoctoral Fellowship, 06/2022 - 05/2024 | Role of Renal Nerves in Cardiovascular and Renal Dysfunction in Polycystic Kidney Disease
Lab Publications:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=banek+ct&sort=date&size=50
People
Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Christopher Banek, PhD (PI)
Twitter LinkedIn ResearchGate Google Scholar UArizona Profile
Meet the Research Team!
Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Meet the Research Staff!
Mark Morales, BS | Laboratory Manager
Mark enjoys learning new techniques that can further scientific discoveries, and being the fastest pipetter this side of the Mississippi. His outside interests are Rodeo, specifically Team Roping.
Mark was recently featured on the University of Arizona's "I Am Health Sciences", as seen here: https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/newsroom/video/0223/i-am-health-sciences-mark-morales
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Melissa Dennis, MS | Research Technician
Melissa completed her Master's Degree in Physiological Sciences in Spring 2023. Prior to grad school, she graduated from the University of Arizona and received her BSHS in Physiology along with two minors in Biochemistry and Psychology. Her graduate work focused on researching the role of vascular dyfunction in a model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. In her spare time, Melissa likes to work out, hike, volunteer at a local therapeutic riding center, and drink lots of coffee! She is now working as a Research Technician, specializing in vascular and myometrial myography experiments with the Banek Lab and collaborators.
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Sebastien Hayoz, PhD | Research Scientist III
Seb is a senior scientist running the lab's patch clamp electrophysiology experiments. His current project investigates how pro-inflammatory cytokines modulate the activity of isolated dorsal root ganglia neurons from cardiovascular and renal disease models. Outside the lab, he enjoys going for walks, eating sweets, and playing video games on Nintendo systems.
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Bash | Laboratory Mascot, Connoisseur of peanut butter and belly rubs
Meet the Graduate Students!
Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Madeline Gauthier, BS | PhD Candidate (Physiological Sciences GIDP)
Madeline is a hybrid MD/PhD student, conducting a PhD in the Banek laboratory while on a leave of absence from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She is studying the role of the renal nerves in a model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. When finished with her PhD, she will return to Chicago to complete her final two years of medical school. When not in the lab, she enjoys working out, hiking, spending time with friends, and long walks with her dog, Fergus.
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Shelby Herrick, BS | MS Student (Physiological Sciences GIDP)
Shelby is a Master's student in the Physiological Sciences GIDP. In May 2023, she graduated with honors, obtaining a BSHS in Physiology and a minor in Biochemistry. Her project in the lab focuses on combined tolvaptan and renal denervation effects in the treatment of polycystic kidney disease. Her career goal is to become a research physician within emergency medicine/medical toxicology. In her freetime she is a photographer, actively volunteers, and enjoys thrifting.
Meet the Undergraduate Students!
Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Lizetta Zozobrado | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Science; Minor Biochemistry)
Lizetta is one of our undergraduate researchers majoring in Physiology. She is planning on pursuing medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Outside of school, she likes to travel around the world and try new restaurants.
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Mason Adams | ADVANCE (R25) Awardee and Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Biology; Minor: Chinese Language)
Mason is an undergraduate majoring in Physiology and Biology. He hopes to learn more about disease prevention and treatment from his time working in research. After graduating, he plans on attending medical school and is considering enrolling in an MD/PhD program in the future.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Maddie Flynn | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Science)
Maddie is an undergraduate majoring in Physiology and Medical Science. In the future, she plans to attend PA school and is interested in specializing in general surgery or cardiology. Volunteering in the Banek lab, she hopes to learn more about how various systems of the body are physiologically integrated and how this information can be applied to a clinical setting. Outside of the lab, Maddie enjoys hiking, painting, sewing, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.
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Thaiane Foster | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Nutritional Sciences)
Thai is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Nutritional Sciences with emphasis in Nutrition. Her interest in the renal, cardiovascular, and nervous system brought her to the Banek Lab. She plans to become a physician and to help patients with her medical knowledge and nutrition background. In her free time, Thai likes to travel, eat good food, go to yoga and spin classes, and spend time with family.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Giuliana Fusco, BA | Postbaccalaureate Researcher
Giuliana received her Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Eller College of Management here at the University of Arizona. Her interests have since shifted over to science and she eventually plans on pursuing a graduate degree in physiology. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, photography, and road trips.
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Ariel Kanzler | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology)
Ariel initially joined the lab as a high school student that joined us from the STAR program. Ariel is now attending the University of Arizona pursuing in major in physiology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, working out, and adventuring in nature.
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Deanna Clinch | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Neuroscience)
Deanna is an undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and minoring in Biochemistry. She plans to attend medical school in the future and become a physician. Outside of school, she enjoys painting, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
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Tevin Robertson | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology)
Tevin is a physiology student with an emphasis in exercise physiology. For the future, he is planning and going to medical school and become a doctor for the U.S Air force. In his spare time Tevin loves to watch sports; mainly football and baseball, go on runs around campus or Tucson and spend time with friends and family.
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Katie Kwasny | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology)
Katie is studying physiology and medical sciences with a minor and biochemistry as well as in the Franke Honors College. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school in hopes to becoming a physician. In her free time, she loves to hang out with friends, go on hikes, and spend time with family.
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Rohit Sahota | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology)
Rohit is an undergraduate majoring in Physiology and Medical Sciences. He plans to attend Medical school in hopes of becoming a cardiologist. In his free time, he enjoys working out, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
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Laboratory Alumni:
- Graduate Students -
Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Christian Leung, MS | Accelerated BME MS Student (Major: Biomedical Engineering)
Christian completed his Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering Program. Previously, he graduated from the University of Arizona with his B.S. in Biomedical engineering in 2022. As an undergraduate, Christian focused on image processing (ImageJ, MATLAB), BF Microscopy, and data management for other projects. During his graduate work, Christian studied the correlation between afferent renal nerve spiking and real-time blood pressure regulation. In his free time, he loves playing with his dog Cici and going to the gym. Next step after the Banek Lab: Orthodontic biomedical engineer at Clear Correct (Straumann Co.) in Austin, TX.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Irin Parvin, MS | Master's Student (Physiological Sciences GIDP)
Irin is an international medical graduate from Bangladesh, and recent graduate from the Physiological Sciences GIDP at the University of Arizona. Her research focused on studying the contribution of the autonomic nervous system in renal and cardiovascular physiology both in healthy and diseased conditions. Her career goal is to become a research physician. Next step after the Banek Lab: Working as a Pathologist Assistant in Phoenix, AZ.
- Undergraduate Students -
Muhammad Dahshan | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Sciences Major, Biochemistry Minor)
Muhammad is an undergraduate student pursuing a career in medicine. His research interests include the mechanistic development and compensatory modulation of systemic diseases like hypertension. Outside the lab, Muhammad cherishes time spent with family and friends, and he enjoys boxing/working out.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Noah Encinas, BS | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Sciences; Minor Biochemistry)
Noah completed his degree in Physiology and Medical Sciences with a minor in Biochemistry in Spring 2023. Next step after graduation: Attending medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine (Class of 2027).
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Elle Nangia, BS (Hons) | Undergraduate Researcher (Majors: Physiology; French)
Elle completed her BS (Hons) in Physiology in Spring 2023, with a minor in Biochemistry and a B.A in French with a minor in Public Health at The University of Arizona Honors College. She worked as an EMT on campus, journalist for The Daily Wildcat, and is an executive chair of Physiology Club and French Students Association. When not in the lab she enjoys painting, cooking, and camping. Next step after the Banek Lab: Elle will be taking a gap year to work in the emergency department and apply to medical schools.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Alexandra Messieh, BS | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Sciences; Minor Biochemistry)
Alex completed her BS in Physiological and Medical Sciences with a minor in biochemistry in Spring 2023. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue assisting in research with the Banek Lab and gain more experience in clinical settings. Her career goals include attending medical school and one day becoming a physician. In her free time she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Kingston Chartier, BS (Hons) | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Physiology and Medical Science; Minor: Biochemistry)
Kingston graduated with a BS (Hons) in Physiology and Medical Science in Spring 2023. In the lab, Kingston's interests include broadening his understanding about renal and neurophysiology and how renal denervation can be used to treat hypertension. Hobbies include working out, playing guitar and video games, and spending time with friends. Next step: Kingston is applying to medical school, aiming to practice as a Family Medicine Physician to help underserved communities.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Hannie Lynch, BS (Hons) | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Neuroscience)
Hannie completed her BS (Hons) in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science in Spring 2023, with minors in Biochemistry and Family Studies. Outside of research, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and working as a wedding photographer. She has currently involved in the Navigators and NSCSAS clubs on campus and volunteers with therapy animals throughout the year. Next step: After graduation, she plans to take a gap year to work, volunteer, and travel while applying for medical school.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Beatriz Smith, MS | Graduate Student (Physiological Sciences GIDP)
Beatriz completed a Physiological Sciences master's in colorectal cancer Summer of '22. Her current project aimed to address the unknown interplay of cancer therapeutics causing acute kidney injury and renal sympathetic activity. She enjoys the simple things in life such as baking, cooking, horseback riding, playing guitar, and volunteering at church. She also enjoys adventures of motorcycle rides with her husband, Santiago. Next Step: She is currently pursuing a career in laboratory research and science education.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Ardine Balili, BS (Hons) | Undergraduate Researcher
Next Step: Ardine is pursuing PA school admissions and hopes to specialize in Rheumatology.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Charbel Curiel, BS | Undergraduate Researcher
Next Step: After graduating in Spring 2023, Charbel went onto Physician's Assistant school.
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Photo Credit: Hannie Lynch
Yash Rohilla | Undergraduate Researcher (Major: Biology; Minor: Spanish)
Yash is an undergraduate majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time in the sun. After finishing undergrad he hopes to continue on to medical school to become a surgeon.
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Kyle Schwartz, BS Laboratory Technician (Next Step: Kyle is currently pursuing a medical degree with hopes to specialize in psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical School)
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Tom Tracey III, BS Undergraduate Researcher (Next Step: Tom is currently pursuing a degree in osteopathic medicine at Midwestern University)
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Zachary Bartoszek, BS Undergraduate Researcher (Next Step: Pursuing admission to law school)