Enis Kostallari, Ph.D., M.S.

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SUMMARY

The research of Enis Kostallari, Ph.D., M.S., focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis, subsequent cirrhosis and the terminal stage of liver disease. Dr. Kostallari and her group study the signaling pathways that determine the pathological behavior of hepatic stellate cells. Hepatic stellate cells are the main type of cell that drives liver fibrosis.

Dr. Kostallari finds novel therapeutic targets for the development of new and efficient therapeutic strategies for people with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Focus areas

• Fibrometabolism. Fibrometabolism, which is the metabolism related to fibrosis, is an important part of Dr. Kostallari's research. She investigates how metabolism in hepatic perivascular cells, called hepatic stellate cells, drives the amplification of liver fibrosis toward cirrhosis.
• Cell-to-cell communication. Dr. Kostallari studies the cross-talk between liver cells. She researches the cell-to-cell communications mediated through extracellular vesicle release during liver fibrosis.
• Epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Dr. Kostallari examines the epigenetic mechanisms in hepatic stellate cells that lead to the expression of genes involved in the progression of liver fibrosis.

Significance to patient care

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are leading causes of death in the United States and worldwide. There is no cure for cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis progression toward cirrhosis occurs when liver injury persists.

Dr. Kostallari strives to understand the pathogenic molecular mechanisms that govern liver fibrosis amplification and subsequently identifies new therapeutic approaches for people with liver disease.

Professional highlights

• Chair, Mayo Clinic GI Scientific Conference, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
• Member, European Association for the Study of the Liver, 2023-present.
• Mentor, Mayo Clinic RAINBOW program, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
• American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases:
  • Member, 2017-present.
  • Member, Steering Committee, Cell Biology Special Interest Group Committee, 2023-2026.
  • Member, Steering Committee, Liver Fibrosis Special Interest Group Committee. 2021-2024.
  • Member, Steering Committee, Membership and Mentorship Committees, 2021-2024.
  • Pinnacle Research Award, 2019-2023.
• Chair, Mayo Clinic Extracellular Vesicles Interest Group, Mayo Clinic, 2016-present.
• Research project grant, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2023-2028.
• Chair, Associate Consultant and Senior Associate Consultant Council, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, 2022-2024.
• Gilead Research Scholar Award, 2022-2024.