Samit Ghosh, PhD

  • Assistant Professor of Medicine
Academic Interests

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most common rare genetic disorders affecting 20-25 million people worldwide with progressive multiorgan complications leading to early mortality. The kidney is one of the most severely affected organs in SCD. Dr. Ghosh’s research aims to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of kidney diseases, ranging from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). His research involves two major components. One is to determine the role of circulating hemolytic byproducts, such as, heme and its scavenger proteins, hemopexin and alpha-1-microglobulin, promoting development of AKI. The other is to delineate the role of renal microvascular endothelium and tubular epithelium instigating AKI-to-CKD transition in SCD. His research interests also include the pathophysiological interactions of kidney injuries with other comorbidities in SCD. His goal is to identify prophylactic and therapeutic targets in preclinical settings with translational capabilities, and to provide new biomarkers for better prognostication and risk assessment for SCD complications.

    Education & Training

  • MSc, University of Burdwan, India, 1999
  • PhD, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Jadavpur University, India, 2005
  • Postdoctoral Associate, University of Texas Tyler Health Science Center, 2005
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emory University, 2008
  • Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh, 2013
Recent Publications

Ofori-Acquah SF, Hazra R, Orikogbo OO, Crosby D, Flage B, Ackah E, Lenhart D, Tan R, Vitturi D, Paintsil V, Owusu-Dabo E, Ghosh S. Hemopexin deficiency promotes acute kidney injury in sickle cell disease. Blood. 2020; 135(13): 144-148.


Ghosh S, Flage B, Weidert F, Ofori-Acquah SF. P-Selectin play a role in haem induced acute lung injury in sickle mice. British J of Haematology. 2019; 186(2): 329-333.


Ghosh S, Hazra R, Ihunnuh CA, Weidert F, Flage B, Ofori-Acquah SF. Augmented Nrf2 activation protects adult sickle mice from lethal acute chest syndrome. British J of Haematology. 2018; 182(2): 271-275.


Ghosh S, Ihunnah CA, Hazra R, Walker AL, Hansen JM, Archer DR, Owusu-Ansah AT, Ofori-Acquah SF. Nonhematopoietic Nrf2 dominantly impedes adult progression of sickle cell anemia in mice. JCI Insight. 2016; 1(4)


Ghosh S, Adisa OA, Chappa P, Tan F, Jackson KA, Archer DR, Ofori-Acquah SF. Extracellular hemin crisis triggers acute chest syndrome in sickle mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2013; 123(11): 4809-4820.