Majmundar Lab Contact Us!

Amar J. Majmundar MD PhD | Principal Investigator | 2020-present

Dr. Majmundar began his medical and graduate training in the Combined Degree and Medical Scientist Training Programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2004-2013). There, he earned a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology in the laboratory of M. Celeste Simon PhD. Using multiple conditional mouse models and muscle progenitor culture models, he discovered that the oxygen sensing factor Hif1α specifically regulates adult skeletal muscle regeneration, but not embryonic muscle development, by inhibiting WNT signaling.

He, subsequently, completed pediatrics training in the Boston Combined Pediatrics Residency program at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) and Boston Medical Center followed by pediatric nephrology fellowship training at Boston Children’s Hospital. He conducted post-doctoral fellowship research with Dr. Friedhelm Hildebrandt. Using exome sequencing, he discovered novel genetic causes of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome/focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (SRNS/FSGS) in human NOS1AP and TRIM8 variants. He investigated the pathogenesis of these human mutations by using podocyte cell culture and generating a novel murine knockout model of nephrotic syndrome. He further explored the Mendelian genetic landscape of pediatric and adult nephrolithiasis using gene panel and exome sequencing techniques. In the process, he determined that dominant OXGR1 variants are a potentially novel cause of nephrolithiasis. 

After completing his training, Dr. Majmundar initiated an independent basic/translational research laboratory focused on identifying novel genetic causes of human kidney disease and delineating the mechanisms of these diseases via genomics, cell systems, and mouse models. In parallel, he has co-initiated a kidney genetics clinic at BCH. 
BCH Research Profile  BCH Kidney Genetics Clinic

Vineeta Sharma, PhD | Post-doctoral fellow | 2021-present

Vineeta completed her PhD degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India in Stem Cells and Molecular Biology. During PhD, her research centered on scaffold based cardiac tissue regeneration in rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. Currently I am working as post-doctoral research fellow at the Boston Children's Hospital. While working as post-doctoral fellow I will explore the underlying mechanisms of monogenic forms of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome/focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (SRNS/FSGS). I will be focusing on generating Trim8 knockout mouse model for better understanding of disease mechanisms and utilize various cell based, molecular biology and genomic based experiments to further validate the outcomes. Outside work, Vineeta Loves cooking and painting.

Andrea Lau, BS | Research Assistant | 2024-

Andrea graduated from The University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2024 with a double major in chemistry and economics. During her time at UMass, she worked in the antimicrobial subgroup in Vincent Rotello’s research lab. There she did a lot of work involving organic chemistry under PhD candidate Jungmi Park. Andrea is excited to be part of the Majmundar lab and is looking forward to expanding her chemistry knowledge with some biology. She as strong interest in both nephrology and rheumatology research. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys reading and adding to her small collection of lego sets. She is also a sports enthusiast and enjoys watching hocky, European football, F1, figure skating, and women’s artistic gymnastics 

Oluwafunmbi Ojo, BS, BA | Masters Thesis Student | 2025–

Oluwafunmbi earned her BS in Behavioral Neuroscience and BA in Health, Medicine, and Society from Lehigh University. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Medical Sciences at Boston University. Before joining the Majmundar Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, Oluwafunmbi conducted neuro-oncology research at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, and investigated plasma biomarkers of neurotrauma in Lehigh University’s Simon Lab. She currently volunteers at Victory Programs' Boston Living Center and ABCD's Food Bank in Fenway. This year, Funmbi will be evaluating the effects of novel compounds in mouse models of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) as part of her thesis research. Outside of the lab, she enjoys learning new languages, exploring different cuisines, and spending time with friends and family.

Sanmayi Reddy, BS | Masters Thesis Student | 2025–

Sana graduated from Brandeis University in 2024 with a double major in Health: Science, Society, and Policy (HSSP) and Psychology. During her time at Brandeis, she led the Partners In Health Engage chapter and volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps, fostering her passion for community health and global health equity. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) at Boston University and is exploring the genetics of pediatric kidney stone formation in the Majmundar Lab. Outside the lab, Sana enjoys engaging in different art activities, cooking and baking, and exploring new places with her family and friends.

Elman Leung, BS | Masters Thesis Student | 2025-


Elman completed his BS in Human Physiology at Boston University and is currently completing his Masters in Medical Sciences at BU School of Medicine. Before joining the lab, he was a research assistant at BUSM focused on Retinal injury under Dr. Andrew Taylor's lab in Ophthalmology, and helped publish the article "Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Maintains Retinal Homeostasis after Ischemia/Reperfusion".  Elman works as an Anesthesia Technician at Beth Israel on the weekends and is a Physiology tutor at BUSM. He also volunteers at the Allston Brighton Food Pantry every Wednesday. This year, Elman will be writing his thesis and contributing to the Majmundar Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. He will be exploring signaling pathways and drug treatments in focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. Outside of work, Elman loves to stay active by playing soccer, tennis, running, and is also a video editor.

Former Lab Members

Lorrin Liang, BS MS | 2021-2022 | Master’s Thesis Student 
  • Next Step after Lab: Medical Student at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Class of 2026.

  • Her previous work includes contributions as a thesis student in the Majmundar Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, clinical research coordinator at the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, and caregiver at Allied Health Services. Regarding community involvement, she currently volunteers as a mentor with The Valedictorian Project for young adults interested in pursuing a career in the medical field and has served as Director of Events for the nonprofit United Against Inequities in Disease. She also has previously been awarded a merit scholarship for her graduate studies with Boston University and amusingly voted by her peers with the superlative, "Most Likely to Be Voted Doctor Of The Year in an In-Flight Magazine." In her free time, she enjoys hiking, basketball, baking, and trying new food. She attributes her first years in Boston to be so fun and exciting thanks to her time with the Majmundar Lab and is thrilled to be able to regard her colleagues as family.


Gabrielle Wilson | 2022 | Undergraduate Student
  • Next Step after Lab: Undergraduate at Wentworth Institute of Technology

  • Gabby helped with investigations into NOS1AP interaction partners as part of her co-opt program. 


Alexander Rubin, BS, MS | Master’s Thesis Student | 2022-2023
  • Alex successfully completed his master's thesis on Trim8 research. 
  • Next Step after Lab: Medical Student at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Class of 2027.

David Ball, BS | Research Assistant | 2020-2023
  • David was amazingly productive during his time in the lab. He identified a novel interactor of a kidney disease gene, which is part of a first author manuscript in preparation. He also presented posters at the 2021 and 2022 American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week Conferences and was selected for the competitive Kidney STARS program at Kidney Week 2022. 
  • Next Step after Lab: He is transitioning to a neural stem cell laboratory to explore his interest in stem cell research before applying for PhD programs in the biomedical sciences. 

Sunwoo Hong, BS, MS | Master’s Thesis Student | 2023-2024
  • Sunwoo successfully completed his master's thesis. 
  • Next Step after Lab: Applying for medical school. 

Victoria Gauntner, BA | Research Assistant | 2022-2024
  • Victoria was extremely productive in her two years and instrumental in several projects on NOS1AP-associated podocytopathy. 
  • Next Step after Lab: Master's program in Genomics/Genetics at Oxford Brookes University in the UK.

Arathi Ranga, BS, MS | Master’s Thesis Student | 2024-2025
  • Arathi successfully completed her master's thesis. 
  • Next Step after Lab: Applying for medical school. 

Guanghao Yu, BA, MS | Masters Thesis Student | 2024-2025
  • Guanghao successfully completed his master's thesis. 
  • Next Step after Lab: Medical Student at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Class of 2029.