Pablo A Ortiz, PhD

Biographical Statement

Dr. Ortiz is a cardiovascular and renal physiologist and head of the Division of Hypertension and Vascular Research at Henry Ford Health. His research focuses on understanding the molecular and physiological mechanisms that contribute to hypertension, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, particularly in people with obesity, diabetes and heart failure.

Dr. Ortiz and his research team investigate how genes and proteins affect the kidneys' regulation of salt and water and contribute to cardiovascular and kidney disease. Using advanced genomic, molecular and imaging technologies, his laboratory seeks to translate discoveries about kidney function into targeted precision medicine therapies for hypertension and kidney disease. His team has identified potential therapeutic targets for diabetic kidney disease and obesity-related hypertension. His team also developed several platforms for translational research working alongside physicians to find new mechanisms and predictive tools to slow the progression of hypertensive- and metabolically-induced kidney and cardiovascular disease.

As head of the Division of Hypertension and Vascular Research, Dr. Ortiz leads a multidisciplinary research program focused on the physiological and genetic causes of hypertension, heart failure, obesity, diabetes-related kidney and heart disease, and liver disease. The division also trains the next generation of cardiovascular and physiology researchers.

Research Interests

• Hypertension and obesity-related hypertension
• Diabetic and nondiabetic kidney disease
• Cardiovascular and renal physiology
• Kidney salt and water regulation
• Molecular and genetic mechanisms of cardiovascular and kidney disease
• Genomics and gene-editing approaches
• Precision medicine and targeted therapies
• Translational research
• Bioinformatics and Omics technologies

Email: portiz1@henryford.com