Department of Medicine
Faculty Profiles by Division

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Faculty Profiles
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photo Elena A. Goncharova, PhD

Associate Professor of Medicine and Bioengineering

Director, Center for Vascular Signaling and Precision Medicine

Head of PH Basic Research, Center for Pulmonary Vascular Biology and Medicine

Email: eag59@pitt.edu

Phone: 412-648-8474
Contact
Office: Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Rm 1259
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
 
Phone: 412-648-8474
Fax: 412-648-3046
E-mail: eag59@pitt.edu
Education and Training
Education
MS, Biochemistry, Moscow Lomonosov State University, 1993
PhD, Biology, Cardiology Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2000
Training
Post-doctoral Researcher, signal transduction, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2005
Research Interest
Dr. Goncharova’s research interests have focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating metabolism, proliferation, motility and survival of pulmonary vascular cells as it relates to the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. Her current work specifically focuses on the roles of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)and HIPPO signaling networks as a master-regulators of Vascular Smooth Muscle remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Dr. Goncharova's lab uses human-derived tissues and cells, genetically modified mice and rodent animal models of PH to dissect new signaling events driving PAH pathogenesis, identify and test new molecular targets. Dr. Goncharova's lab also runs VMI Cell Processing Core (isolates, characterizes and biobanks pulmonary vascular cells from subjects with PAH and donor lungs) and Animal Hypoxic Core (provides the platform and technical support for hypoxia-based modeling of PH in rodents).
Educational Interest
2003-present
Mentoring of pre- and post-doctoral students, research fellows and junior faculties

2015-present
Graduate Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Cellular & Molecular Pathology Graduate Program

2015-present
Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Education

2015-2016
Facilitator, pharmacology conference (GPCR drugs), Cellular and Pathologic Basis of Disease/Pharmacology course

2016-2018
Lecturer, Principles of Pharmacology course

2016-2019
Small group leader, CLRES 2071 Advanced Grant Writing Course

2016-present
Faculty mentor, First Experiences in Research Program

2017-present
Faculty mentor, The Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (PURDiP)

2018-present
Course Director, HVI/VMI Research Conference, University of Pittsburgh DOM

2019 Instructor, Fundamentals of Bench Research Summer Course
Publications
For my complete bibliography, Click Here.
Selected Publications:
Lai, Y.C., Provencher, S., Goncharova, E.A. TAKling GDF-15 and Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Pulmonary Hypertension: Are We There Yet?. Thorax. 2018; 74(2): 103-105.
Pullamsetti SS, Savai R, Seeger W, Goncharova EA. Translational Advances in the field of Pulmonary Hypertension. From cancer biology to new PAH therapeutics: Targeting cell growth and proliferation signaling hubs. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2017; 195: 425-437.
Pena A, Kobir A, Goncharov D, Goda A, Vanderpool R, Baust J, Chang B, Mora AL, Gorcsan J III, Goncharova EA. Pharmacological inhibition of mTOR kinase reverses right ventricle remodeling and improves right ventricle structure and function in rats. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 2017; 57: 733-744.
Kudryashova TV, Goncharov DA, Pena A, Kelly N, Vanderpool R, Baust J, Kobir A, Shufesky W, Mora AL, Morelli AE, Zhao J, Ihida-Stansbury K, Chang B, DeLisser H, Tuder RM, Kawut SM, Silljé HHW, Shapiro S, Zhao Y, Goncharova EA. HIPPO-integrin linked kinase crosstalk controls self-sustaining proliferation and survival in pulmonary hypertension. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2016; 194(7): 866-877.
Kudryashova TV, Goncharov DA, Pena A, Ihida-Stansbury K, DeLisser H, Kawut SM, Goncharova EA. Profiling the role of mTOR in the vascular smooth muscle metabolome in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary Circulation. 2015; 5(4): 667-680.
Goncharov DA, Kudryashova TV, Ziai H, Ihida-Stansbury K, DeLisser H, Krymskaya VP, Tuder RM, Kawut SM, Goncharova EA. mTORC2 coordinates pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell metabolism, proliferation and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation. 2014; 129(8): 864-874.
Goncharova EA, Goncharov DA, James ML, Atochina-Vasserman EN, Stepanova V, Hong S-B, Li H, Gonzales L, Baba M, Linehan WM, Gow AJ, Margulies S, Guttentag S, Schmidt L, Krymskaya VP. Folliculin controls lung alveolar enlargement and epiteliak cell survival through E-cadherin, LKB1, and AMPK. Cell Reports. 2014; 7(2): 412-423.
Goncharova EA, Goncharov DA, Fehrenbach M, Khavin I, Ducka B, Hino O, Colby TV, Merrilees MJ, Haczku A, Albelda SM, Krymskaya VP. Prevention of Alveolar Destruction and Airspace Enlargement in a Mouse Model of Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Science Translational Medicine. 2012; 4(154): 154ra134.
Krymskaya VP, Snow J, Cesarone G, Khavin I, Goncharov DA, Lim PN, Veasey SC, Ihida-Stansbury K, Jones PL, Goncharova EA. mTOR is Required for Pulmonary Arterial Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Under Chronic Hypoxia. The FASEB Journal. 2011; 25(6): 1922-1933.
Goncharova EA, Goncharov DA, Li H, Pimtong W, Lu S, Khavin I, Krymskaya VP. mTORC2 is Required for Proliferation and Survival of TSC2-Null Cells. Molecular and Cellular Biology. 2011; 31(12): 2484-2498.
Sponsored Research/Activities
Title: TSC2 signaling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL113178
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2022
Title: Gene and Protein Expression Analysis in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells Isolated from Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Pfizer Inc.
Grant Number: CRA
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2019
Title: Preclinical assessment of dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) as a novel therapeutic for SSC-PAH
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Trustees of Boston University
Grant Number: 4500002337
Start Year: 2017
End Year: 2019
Title: HIPPO Signaling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL130261
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2020
Title: Evaluation of the Role of Gremlin 1, Activin A and PDGFRB in Pulmonary Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Grant Number: RES
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2018
Title: mTOR Coordinates Cell Metabolism, Growth and Survival in Pulmonary Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL113178
Start Year: 2013
End Year: 2017
Title: Role of Wnt/beta-catenin In Liver Regeneration
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, & Kidney Disease
Grant Number: R01
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2024
Title: TRPV4-dependent Endothelial Ca2+ Signaling in Ppulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: University of Virginia/ National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2024
Title: Endothelial Reprogramming in Pulmonary Hypertension
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2024
Title: Endothelial TLR3 deficit in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: Virginia Commonwealth University/ National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL13988
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2019
Title: Therapeutic Targeting of Vascular Subphenotypes of Lung Disease
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: P01 HL103455
Start Year: 2016
End Year: 2021
Title: Hemostasis and Vascular Biology Research Institute - Cell Processing Core-Goncharova
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: Hemophilia Center of Western PA
Start Year: 2013
End Year: 2028
Title: Hemostasis and Vascular Biology Research Institute-Goncharova
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: Institute for Transfusion Medicine
Start Year: 2013
End Year: 2028
Title: University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute - Research Education Core
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Grant Number: UL1 TR000005
Start Year: 2011
End Year: 2016
Title: Translational Studies for Identifying and Targeting Novel Pathways in Systemic Sclerosis Pathogenesis (Project 2)
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding Agency: National Institute of Arthristis, Muscoskel, & Skin Disease
Grant Number: P50 AR060780
Start Year: 2017
End Year: 2022
Title: TSC2 signaling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute
Grant Number: R01 HL113178
Start Year: 2018
End Year: 2022
Notable Achievements
Chair Elect, ATS Pulmonary Circulation Assembly Program Committee, 2019-
The AJRCCM Eminent Reviewer Award, 2019
Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 2018-
Reviewer, NIH/NHLBI ZRG1 CVRS G (02) M Pulmonary Diseases, 2014-
LAM Foundation Francis G. Byrnes Conference Award, 2013
Scientist reviewer, Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), 2011-
American Lung Association Biomedical Research Award, 2011
Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Award in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, 2010
ATS/LAM Foundation Research Award, 2008
Parker B. Francis Fellowship Award, 2008

Division Websites

Cardiology

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

General Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine
Hematology/Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine

Renal-Electrolyte

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Contact

Department of Medicine
1218 Scaife Hall
3550 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Email:  chairoff@pitt.edu
Phone:  412-648-9636
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