Moumita Barua
MD
Currently accepting MSc and PhD candidates
You can follow Dr. Barua on social media at:
Dr. Moumita Barua is a Clinician Scientist at the University Health Network (UHN), Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Her research program aims to improve diagnostics and clinical outcomes for individuals living with kidney disease.
Research synopsis
The Barua Lab integrates human genetics, molecular biology, and preclinical modeling to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. Genetic discoveries from patient and population cohorts guide the development of clinically relevant models in the lab.
Major ongoing projects include:
- Genome-wide association studies of kidney traits
- PAX2-mediated kidney repair and regeneration — enthusiasm for working with mouse models is an asset
- Mechanistic studies in genetic kidney disease models including for Alport syndrome, CAKUT and Joubert syndrome — enthusiasm for working with mouse models is an asset
The Barua Lab welcomes highly motivated trainees (MSc or PhD candidates) to join a collaborative and supportive research team. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to one of several ongoing projects, selected based on their interests and strengths. The supervisor is deeply committed to trainee career development and provides individualized mentorship to help each team member reach their goals. Alumni from the lab have pursued diverse and successful paths, including medical school, highly competitive IMG residency programs, and research careers in academia, industry, and national organizations such as CIHI.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Selected publications
De Gregorio V, Barua M, Lennon R. Collagen Formation, Function and Role in Kidney Disease. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2025 Mar;21(3):200-215. (Trainee publication). Co-corresponding Author.
Caparali EB, De Gregorio V, Barua M. Genotype-Based Molecular Mechanisms in Alport Syndrome. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2025 Jun 1 1;36(6):1176-1183. (Trainee publication). Senior Responsible Author.
Cunanan J, Zhang D, Peired AJ, Barua M. Podocytes in Health and Glomerular Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Apr 24;13:1564847. (Trainee publication). Senior Responsible Author.
Lona-Durazo F, Omachi K, Fermin D, Eichinger F, Troost JP, Lin MH, Dinsmore IR, Mirshahi T, Chang AR, Miner JH, Paterson AD, Barua M, Gagliano Taliun SA. Association of Genetically Predicted Skipping of COL4A4 Exon 27 with Hematuria and Albuminuria. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2025 Jan 1;36(1):48-59 (Trainee publication). Co-corresponding author.
Cunanan J, Rajyam S, Udwan K, Rana A, De Gregorio V, Ricardo S, Elia A, Brooks B, Weins A, Pollak M, John R, Barua M. Mice with a Pax2 Missense Variant Display Impaired Glomerular Repair. American Journal of Physiology - Renal. 2024 May 1;326(5):F704-726 (Trainee publication). Senior Responsible Author.
Gagliano Taliun SA, Dinsmore IR, Mirshahi T, Chang AR, Paterson AD, Barua M. GWAS of the Composite Outcome Hematuria and Albuminuria. Scientific Reports. 2023 Oct 16. Senior Responsible Author.
De Gregorio V, Caparali EB, Shojaei A, Ricardo S, Barua M. Alport Syndrome: Clinical Spectrum and Therapeutic Advances. Kidney Medicine. 2023 Mar 21;5(5) (Trainee publication). Senior Responsible Author.
Gagliano-Taliun S, Sulem P, Sveinbjornsson G, Gudbjartsson DF, Stefansson K, Paterson AD, Barua M. GWAS of Hematuria. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2022 Apr;17:672-683. Senior Responsible Author.
Appointments
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Toronto General Research Institute
- Institute of Medical Science
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology