Reena Kartha is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of Translational Pharmacology at the Center for Orphan Drug Research, University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on rare inherited metabolic disorders, specifically investigating the role of oxidative stress and inflammation. Dr. Kartha is interested in identifying novel biomarkers and repurposing therapies that target these molecular pathways. Her research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, and non-profit foundations. With a master’s degree in biotechnology and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Dr. Kartha is an esteemed member of professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Rare Disease Community.
Main Area of Research: My lab is primarily interested in developing new therapies for ALD. We adopt translational and clinical pharmacology approaches to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical applications to drive innovation and accelerate drug development. Currently we are investigating nervonic acid, as a dietary therapy that will be beneficial for all individuals with an ABCD1 mutation. We are analyzing its mechanism of action and understanding its pharmacology using patient-derived cells, and animal models.