Team Members
Takamitsu Saigusa, M.D.
Principal Investigator
I am a physician scientist in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I earned my MD degree from the National Defense Medical College in Japan and completed medical residency and nephrology fellowship at the same institution. After serving in the Japan Self Defense Force, I continued to pursue my second medical residency at the SUNY-Long Island College Hospital followed by a T32 Nephrology Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, under mentorship of now Professor Emeritus Dr. P. Darwin Bell. I received a career development award from the National Institute of Health (NIH), and moved to UAB in 2016.
Our lab is interested in how specific dietary protein affects kidney cyst growth, focusing on whether plant-based compared to animal-based protein diet, reduces immune cell activity, inflammation, and slows kidney cyst growth using murine models of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is funded by the NIH. I see both general nephrology and PKD patients at the UAB hospital clinic and the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
Randee Sedaka, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Randee joined Dr. Saigusa’s laboratory in 2021. She first conducted research as a Forensic Science undergraduate at The Pennsylvania State University and continued on through the Graduate Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Training Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Randee’s current research is focused on investigating the role of intestinal polycystin 1 and potential cross-talk with the kidney. She is also interested in understanding how differing protein loads and composition can advance ADPKD cyst progression. Her work has been supported by an NIH NIDDK T32 in Interdisciplinary Training in Kidney-Related Research. Randee is originally from New Jersey, is passionate about scientific editing, and enjoys cooking and cross stitching in her spare time.
Aida Moran-Reyna, MS
Researcher IV
In 2023, Aida became a member of Dr. Saigusa’s lab. Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, she spent her formative years between Mexico and the U.S. Aida completed both her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research journey spans various realms beginning with researching biological extremities in archaea. She branched off into investigating mitochondrial structure- function and its relationship with diabetes and tumorigenesis by manipulating drosophila genetics. Most recently, she was able to increase her research experience by exploring the cellular dysfunction and neurological processes concerning Huntington’s Disease and astrocytes. Currently, Aida’s role within the lab encompasses maintaining its overall day to day functionality, overseeing animal care and genotyping, and aiding ongoing research endeavors. Beyond her professional pursuits, Aida finds enjoyment in Mexican folklore dancing, exploring different cultures through travel, and continuously expanding her knowledge.
Emily Hallit
Gap Year Intern
Emily started her gap year internship in Dr. Saigusa’s lab in the fall of 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Samford University the previous spring, with minors in Neuroscience and Physics, focusing on botany and local flora. She is applying to graduate schools and will begin next year, and her plan is to gain a well-rounded research experience. She primarily focuses on mouse husbandry, assisting with various experiments, and maintaining the overall wellness of the lab. Originally from Los Angeles, she loves living in Birmingham and exploring the city. Outside of the lab, Emily enjoys crocheting and reading, as well as spending time with her cat named Worm.
