Research
Grad PhD Students
A number of researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi(UH) medical school discovered their career paths early in life. One of them is Cynthia Anderson, PhD, whose passion for science and medicine began in childhood. Her grandfather, a pediatrician, nurtured her curiosity and fascinated her with his knowledge of the human body and his ability to diagnose and treat children with unexplained illnesses. Over time, personal experiences with family members affected by various heart-related conditions spurred her interest in cardiovascular disease.
Now a post-doctoral fellow in the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) Department of Medicine and the Center for Cardiovascular Research (CCR), Dr. Anderson is working on ways to improve an approach that uses ultrasound- and microbubbles to deliver gene therapy aimed at cardiovascular and liver-based gene deficiency disorders. In particular, the method is being evaluated for its effectiveness in delivering the blood coagulation Factor IX to the liver in Hemophilia B gene therapy.
Another focus of Anderson’s work is ultrasound-directed delivery of hypoxia-inducible factors to the heart and kidney for treating cardiovascular and renal conditions such as anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. Her research is currently funded by an American Heart Association fellowship awarded for 2018-2020.
Anderson’s long-term plan is to continue her research in the field of gene therapy. With her background in teaching at the secondary and college undergraduate levels, she also hopes to combine her research interests with science education in academia.
Anderson’s educational background is varied. She holds double B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences and Secondary Education (2005) and an M.A. in Science Education (2006) from the University of Rhode Island. In 2008 Anderson moved to Hawaiʻi and began her doctoral studies in the UH Cell and Molecular Biology program. After obtaining her Ph.D. in 2014, she taught undergraduate courses as an Assistant Teaching Professor in Georgetown University’s Department of Biology. When the opportunity to return to Hawaiʻi arose in 2017, Anderson commenced her work as a post-doctoral scientist at the CCR.
“Dr. Ralph Shohet was my mentor during graduate school,” Anderson said, “and I was very fortunate to be able to return to work in his lab at the Center for Cardiovascular Research as a postdoc.” The gene delivery method that her research involves was developed in part by Dr. Shohet. Anderson appreciates the opportunity to advance the technique while exploring its utility: “Investigating the therapeutic applications of this technology in the preclinical gene therapy studies I am working on has been particularly rewarding.”
Anderson’s long-term plan is to continue her research in the field of gene therapy. With her background in teaching at the secondary and college undergraduate levels, she also hopes to combine her research interests with science education in academia.
Anderson grew up in Miller Place, a small town on Long Island, New York. One of her favorite spots is her family’s lake house on Bantam Lake in northwest Connecticut. Kauaʻi is her favorite Hawaiian island; on Oʻahu she likes Kailua. “I am a mother of two boys, ages 5 and 3, and enjoy spending my time outside of work with my family,” Anderson said. “We especially love the endless outdoor activities Hawaiʻi has to offer. I also enjoy running and have continued to run after my college days as a cross-country and track and field runner.”