Dr. Sabrina La Salvia

The Microsurgeon

I enjoy exploring biology and its unknowns because it keeps me on my toes. My main interest is in the study of extracellular vesicles and the way they communicate with one another through different body fluids. 

My exploration of various different scientific fields, from marine biology to neuroscience, is all connected by my curiosity to discover the unpredictable and reveal the unknown.

Like the things that really matter in life (love, integrity, friendship, etc.), the study of vesicles is microscopic and therefore not tangible. The more I explore this field, the more I realize how active and unique the potential of each vesicle is.

I was introduced to the field of hypertension at UVA, a disease which afflicts more than 130 million people in the United States. In Dr. Erdbrügger Lab one of my main tasks is performing surgery on our hypertensive animal model. After having had first-hand experience with a disease through the suffering of my mother, I view research as a tool which connects her with people, giving them hope. 

Bio:

2011 Degree in Environmental Biological Science

2013 M.S. Degree in Neuroscience

2016 Ph.D. in Biomedical Science

2016 Visiting Scholar, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA (U.S.A.)

2017 Ph.D. Fellow, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA (U.S.A.)

2018 Winner of a 2 year AHA Scientist Development Grant for the project "Subtypes of Leukocyte derived EVs in hypertension" 

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29845758