How Obesity Triggers Kidney Diseases: The Role of the Immune System - GSS 1.0 (5/6) - Ubong Ekperikpe

Graduate Student Series (GSS) 1.0 (Ep. 5 of 6) Ubong Ekperikpe is a Ph.D. candidate in the Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he studies obesity and kidney diseases. He trained as a Pharmacist at the University of Jos, before earning a master's degree in Pharmacology at the University of Benin, both in Nigeria. He has also served as a Junior Research Fellow at the School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Ubong’s current research is focused on understanding the role of macrophage inflammatory protein 3-alpha (MIP3α) and interactions between antigen-presenting cells and T-cells in the progression of kidney injuries in children with obesity. Findings from this research will not only enhance our understanding of how these immune cells contribute to the onset of kidney diseases but also inform the design of appropriate therapies. Cooking is one of Ubong's most enjoyable things to do, and he's been honing his skills since he turned 9. In this episode, Ubong shares findings from his PhD work exploring the immunology-link between obesity and kidney diseases in children. He also provides useful updates on his experience as a graduate student and thoughts on promoting immunology research in Africa. Time stamps: 00:00 - intro 02:29 - overview of academic and research journey 06:54 - blending background in pharmacy and research in immunology 08:32 - current research intersecting obesity, kidney diseases, and immunology 22:00 - implications of research for Africa's childhood obesity burden 28:30 - BONUS: linking kidney diseases and sleeping sickness in Africa 32:25 - life in graduate school (a typical day in the lab; managing failures and successes; on cooking) 39:34 - thoughts on promoting immunology and scientific research in Africa 43:36 - core guiding principles 46:40 - fun task (what one advice would you give to your younger self?) 51:35 - outro