We are proud to highlight the exciting progress being made by Dr. Linda Sun, a rising star in diabetes-related kidney research and a valued member of the F.O.E. Diabetes Research Center. As a pediatric kidney doctor and early-career physician-scientist, Dr. Sun brings a unique blend of clinical insight and scientific innovation to her work. 

Her lab focuses on the motor protein dynein, which plays a critical role in powering the filtering cells of the kidneys. Recently, her team made a key discovery. She found that diabetes causes the dynein-powered system to become dysfunctional, leading to the loss of the kidney’s vital filtering units. This breakthrough is helping to unravel how high blood sugar damages the kidney at a cellular level. 

Dr. Sun’s work has earned significant recognition. She was recently named a Stead Family Scholar, a prestigious award that will accelerate her lab’s efforts over the next three years. In addition, she is the recipient of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant to further investigate the mechanisms behind diabetic kidney disease. 

By understanding how dynein is affected by diabetes, Dr. Sun aims to identify new strategies to protect kidney function and improve outcomes for patients. We are thrilled about her research progress and are proud to have her as a FOEDRC faculty member. We all look forward to the impact her work will have on the future of diabetes care.