Daniela Ponce Balbuena

Biography

About Me

I completed my B.S and M.S at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, México.  During my PhD training under the supervision of Dr. José Antonio Sanchez-Chapula at the Universidad de Colima, México, where I first for involved in the field of electrophysiology. My project involved studying the function, expression, and pharmacology of the inward rectifier potassium channels (Kir).

After my PhD training, I joined the University of Michigan Center for Arrhythmia Research (CAR) under the supervision of Dr. José Jalife. During this time, I developed a project aimed at investigating interactions of cardiac ion channels within macromolecular complexes, and the mechanisms and pro-arrhythmic consequences of disease-producing mutations that modify such complexes by disrupting protein trafficking. The results of this project provided novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying life threatening arrhythmias associated with the Andersen-Tawil Syndrome and Brugada Syndrome.

On September 2020, I joined the Physiology and Cell Biology (PCB) Department and the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute (DHLRI) at The Ohio State University as a Research Assistant Professor, where I worked with Dr. Isabelle Deschenes. In July 2023, I moved  the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, to join the laboratories of Dr. Francisco Alvarado and Héctor Valdivia as a Scientist III. As researcher I enthusiastically endeavor to network with other scientists and establish new high-quality collaborations that integrate and mutually strengthen our research programs.

I greatly enjoy my life as a scientist and feel strongly that the success as an investigator relies on extraordinary teams of scientists. I am delighted to be part of such a team.

Google Scholar | PubMed | ORCiD

Research Interests

Most of my research to date has focused on studying functional regulation of cardiac ion channels in healthy and diseased hearts, as well as understanding the role of ion channel dysfunction in arrhythmia mechanisms. Overall, I am interested in study novel molecular mechanisms of regulation of cardiac ion channels as part of macromolecular complexes, and the arrhythmogenic mechanisms associated with disease-producing protein dysfunction that modify such complexes. My goal is to uncover novel druggable targets to prevent and/or treat arrhythmias, which will provide a significant contribution to public health. My current studies are working to determine the molecular mechanisms of cardiac Na_V1.5 channel p38MAPK-dependent modulation .Furthermore, I am working to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which novel RyR2 mutations lead to long-QT syndrome.

Hobbies

I love spending time with my family and friends. Additionally, I greatly enjoy spending time learning and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai “The art of Eight Limbs” strikes involving punches, kick, knees, and elbows.