Dr Maria Fragiadaki

Present

Maria joined Prof Roger M Mason's laboratory for her first post-doctoral position. She is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that lead to kidney fibrosis. In particular, Maria studies the role of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in mediating fibrosis in high-glucose and in Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy. Maria was awarded the Lockwood award from the Renal Association in recognition of her post-doctoral work in 2010.

Background

Maria gained her BSc (Hons) in Genetics from the University of Aberdeen in 2005; where she worked on understanding the role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27, in preventing breast cancer cells from becoming resistant to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents, such us docetaxel. 

She then moved to Imperial College London, where she was awarded her PhD in medicine in 2008 for work she undertook under the supervision of Dr George Bou-Gharios at Hammersmith campus, Renal Section. During her PhD, Maria worked on the transcriptional regulation of the COL1A2 gene and identified a novel physical interaction between the transcription factor CUX1 and COL1A2 which inhibits collagen production. In 2008 she received both the Young Scientist award and the Walls bursary from the Renal Association in recognition of her early work as a renal scientist.