Assistant Professor Office: Biomed 1, B306D
Lab: Biomed 1, B321
Email: efshosha@uams.edu
Education and Training
- B.Pharm – Cairo University School of Pharmacy, Egypt (2005-2010)
- Teaching/research assistant – Cairo University, Clinical Pharmacy Dept., Egypt (2010-2011)
- Ph.D. with distinction – Augusta University, Vascular Biology Center Augusta, GA (2012-2017)
- Post-doctoral training – Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Vascular Biology Center, Dr. Ruth Caldwell lab, Augusta, GA (2017-2021)
Research Interests
My research focuses on potentially blinding retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, with a particular interest in the retinal vascular response to ischemia. Ischemia is a condition in which there is a reduced blood supply to the retina. This can occur due to a variety of factors, such as hypoxia, diabetes, blood clots, and glaucoma. Ischemia can lead to damage to retinal cells and blood vessels and can ultimately lead to vision loss.
To understand the underlying mechanisms of retinal ischemia and develop new treatments, I use a variety of in vivo and in vitro models. In vivo models such as retinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, diabetes and oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) allow the study of the retinal vascular response to ischemia in living animals. In vitro models such as oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) allow the simulation of the effects of ischemia on different cell types in a controlled environment. Among the techniques that I routinely use are Seahorse analysis of whole retinas and endothelial cell metabolism, various mitochondrial assays, and angiogenesis assays. The goal of my research is to better understand how ischemia affects the metabolism of retinal cells and blood vessels formation, and how this may
contribute to vision loss. My work is currently funded by the career development award from the American Heart Association (AHA).
I closely collaborate with faculty at UAMS, including Dr. Nancy Rusch and Dr. Abdelrahman Fouda and clinicians at the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute. I am also open to future collaborations. Apart from research, I like reading, cooking, and spending time with my two little girls. I am also a home décor enthusiast.
Research Support
Ongoing
- AHA Career Development Award (25CDA1446415), Role: PI, Title: Endothelial HDAC3 Mediates Pathological Angiogenesis in Retinopathy of Prematurity (2025- 2028)