Dr. Ben Lidgard receives K23 grant from NHLBI

New Grant Announcement

Kidney Disease as a Cause of Elevated Sphingolipids

K23 from The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 

Dates: 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2031

PI: Benjamin Lidgard, MD

Primary Mentor:
Rozenn Lemaitre, PhD, MPH

Co-Mentors:
Drs. Nisha Bansal, Kevin O’Brien, Leila Zelnick, Ting Ye

Project Narrative: People with kidney disease are at a high risk for heart disease. Levels of small fat molecules which are higher in people with kidney disease might increase this risk for heart disease. This project will study how kidney disease increases the levels of these fat molecules, and how a new medication (evolocumab) might be used to lower the levels of these fats.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides global leadership for a research, training, and education program to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood disorders and enhance the health of all individuals so that they can live longer and more fulfilling lives.