Students Gain Early Research Experience in the Quest to Combat Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease

Dr. Garcia’s research focuses on obesity, cardiometabolic disease, and hypertension, including the role of the GPR75 receptor and its interaction with its ligand, 20-HETE. Previous research has shown that individuals with an inactive copy of the GPR75 gene tend to have lower BMI levels and a reduced risk of obesity and liver disease. The lab continues to study how this research could help develop a new treatment for obesity and related health conditions that can stand alone and be combined with current therapies such as GLP-1s.

"It has been an incredible journey so far," said Dr. Garcia. "It all started with the discovery of 20-HETE in the 1980s by Michal Laniado Schwartzman, Ph.D., M.Sc., the Alumni Endowed Chair in Biomedical Sciences, chair and professor of pharmacology, professor of medicine, and associate professor of ophthalmology, here at NYMC and now we have uncovered its receptor, GPR75. I strongly believe that understanding and blocking GPR75 will transform how we treat obesity and help solve one of the biggest health crises of our generation. We are so excited to see what happens next."

For Sophie Steinberg, a rising freshman at the University of Maryland majoring in human development on a pre-med track, her interest in cardiology led her to Dr. Garcia’s lab. While working on an original science research project, Steinberg came across Dr. Garcia’s research on 20-HETE, GPR75, and hypertension. “I became very fascinated and emailed him to take part in this fundamental science,” she said.

In the lab, Steinberg worked on projects involving the heart, liver, and pancreas, including RNA extraction to examine the effects of a GPR75 knockout and analysis of tissue samples to study differences in pancreatic islets. More recently, she worked with hepatocytes to investigate the effects of different drugs that could potentially prevent weight gain and liver damage.

Through the experience, Steinberg developed hands-on lab skills, including learning to use pipettes and centrifuges. “I have strengthened my ability to collaborate with others, learning how to apply different ideas, and how to think like a scientist or physician instead of a high school student,” she said.

For Albert Durzieh, who is studying medicine with the goal of becoming a physician, joining Dr. Garcia’s lab through a program at Touro’s Lander College for Men offered a closer look at the research process and the potential uses of GPR75-targeted therapeutics. His research focused on identifying drugs that could block 20-HETE binding to GPR75, potentially having the same protective effects as mutations seen in humans, while also looking at how they could work with GLP-1 drugs and provide benefits beyond weight loss. Through the experience, Durzieh gained hands-on experience collecting blood and brain samples, studying receptors, and contributing to scientific papers. “I learned how research is conducted, including the strict conditions and precision required,” Durzieh said.

Although Durzieh does not plan to pursue research as a full-time career, the experience has inspired him to remain involved throughout medical school. “I hope to join research teams during my summers in medical school to continue learning,” he said.

For Emma Holz, a rising senior in high school who plans to study chemistry in college, the experience provided an opportunity to gain hands-on research experience before beginning her undergraduate studies. Holz has observed Dr. Garcia’s research on obesity and GPR75 while also gaining experience with cell culture, learning what it takes for cells to grow, expand and serve as a key tool for in vitro experiments in the characterization and development of new drugs. “These all are critical experiences to help me get ready for college level labs,” Holz said.

The experience has also deepened Holz’s interest in science while helping her become a more confident speaker and ask better questions. She was particularly captivated by the technology used throughout the research process. “With the rise of technology, it’s really fascinating how that plays a vital role in research,” she said.

For the students, the experience has provided more than an introduction to lab techniques, but also an opportunity to see how scientific research can inform the future of medicine while helping them determine how research might fit into their own careers.

Steinberg said she was especially interested in the wide range of Dr. Garcia’s research, noting that GPR75 could be used to study conditions including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, liver disease and even depression. For students preparing to enter college and medical training, this experience has given them an early opportunity to explore those connections firsthand.
 
"We love having the opportunity to train the next generation of young scientists," said Dr. Garcia. "Giving them the tools and watching them build confidence to take on a challenge and make a breakthrough is incredible to watch. I am still so grateful for my first opportunity to learn in lab with the support of so many incredible mentors and we hope to be that for our volunteers."