What I do:

Research in the Cordat’s lab is focused on renal handling of ions, with a particular emphasis on the physiological role of renal intercalated cells in the collecting duct. These cells are essential to maintain a neutral plasma pH as they secrete acids and reabsorb bicarbonate buffer to the blood. Any imbalance of plasma bicarbonate homeostasis alters a number of physiological processes, including homeostasis of oxalate, a component of 80 % of kidney stones, indirect regulation of water reabsorption, plasma pH homeostasis, bile duct function, spermatogenesis, vision, hearing or cardiovascular function. The Cordat’s lab works on the physiology and pathophysiology of renal intercalated cells and their contribution to genetically-inherited or acquired distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). This disease causes metabolic acidosis, failure to thrive, muscle weakness, kidney stones and chronic kidney disease if untreated. Our laboratory has 3 main research topics: the first focuses on the pathophysiology of the renal intercalated cell loss in dRTA patients, the second investigates the persistence of kidney stone development in dRTA patients even after their acidosis is corrected and the third one aims at understanding the role of intercalated cells in innate immunity. Our research will have an impact on our understanding of (1) acid-base balance and its role in acidotic patients living with dRTA or a chronic kidney disease, (2) kidney stone formation, a painful condition that affects one in ten Canadians throughout their lifetime, and (3) urinary tract infections, a common condition that causes roughly 500,000 visits per year to physicians in Canada.

Ask me about:

I obtained my PhD in Biochemistry from the Universite de Nice/Sophia-Antipolis (France) before moving to the University of Toronto as a postdoctoral fellow. I finally joined the Department of Physiology at the University of Alberta where I teach, perform research and contribute to the Department, Faculty and University’s administrative life. I truly enjoy supervising graduate and undergraduate trainees in the laboratory and classroom. I also serve as a member of the executive committee of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, as reviewer/scientific officer for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and as director of the Membrane Protein Disease Research Group.

Why me:

I enjoy sharing our results with the community and spread new knowledge relevant to many Canadians suffering from kidney diseases. This also allows me to highlight the incredible work of my talented and relentless graduate students, and to promote the rich and diverse research community at the University of Alberta.

Sector: Academia (Post Secondary)

English proficiency: Read, Write, Speak

French proficiency: Read, Write, Speak

Title: Dr.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Gender: Female

Demographic: European / White