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Q&A Aizhou Wang Research Highlights

FORECASTING COMPLICATIONS

A research team led by Drs. Ana Konvalinka
If your younger self could see what you do and Tereza Martinu identified protein markers
now, would they be surprised? that can predict which transplant recipients will
I grew up in Chongqing, China, which is a experience a potentially deadly complication called
mountain city in the centre of the country. When chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Using
I was a kid, my dream job was a bus driver. It machine learning, the team examined the protein
sounds funny, but I really did love how the bus levels in lung tissues from healthy individuals and
driver helped so many different people get to those with CLAD. The algorithm had an accuracy
where they needed to go. So, yes, I do think it of 97% for predicting who would develop CLAD.
would be a big surprise. Full Story / Scientific Article

What led you to a career in medical research? ADDED BENEFITS OF DIABETES DRUG
Although my parents were both meteorologists
and involved in science, they let me choose my
own path. What they did help foster in me was a
curiosity and general interest in science. I think
that I really made the leap and chose science
in high school because of a really great biology
teacher that I had. This led me to choose a major in
health science in university.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? A clinical trial with participants from over 500
I love bicycling. I would consider myself a cycling sites in 34 countries revealed the long-term effects
enthusiast—a passion that I picked up when I of the recently approved type 2 diabetes drug
joined the lab. I bike to work most days and, as ertugliflozin on the kidneys. Study investigator Dr.
a lab, we do cycling events, including 100 km David Cherney (pictured) explains, “We found
‘century rides’. I also love fixing bikes. Before that patients treated with ertugliflozin experience
rides, I am often the bike doctor and the one doing a 34% reduction in overall risk for negative kidney
tune-ups for the team. Curiosity is something that outcomes.” Remarkably, the team also found that
drives me: figuring out how to fix a bike is in a way treatment with ertugliflozin improved the ability
like what we do in the lab when we explore how to of the kidneys to prevent the leakage of protein
repair lungs. into the urine. Full Story / Scientific Article

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