Titles and Education

1. 2023-present       Professor, Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison.
2. 2023-present      Professor (adjunct), Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine & Public Health. WW-Madison.
3. 2017―2023       Associate Professor, Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison.
4. 2017―2023      Associate Professor (adjunct), Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine & Public Health. WW-Madison.
5. 2016―2017        Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX
6. 2010―2016        Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,  University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX.
7. 2009―2010        Instructor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX
8. 2007―2009       Postdoctoral Fellow, Cardiovascular Physiology and Perinatal Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Texas.
9. 2004―2007       Postdoctoral Fellow, Cardiovascular Toxicology, Department of Environmental Toxicology, Southern University, Louisiana.
10. 2003―2004        Scientist, Department of Pharmacology, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon, India
11. 1999―2003        PhD in Veterinary Pharmacology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, India.
12. 1996―1999        Masters in Veterinary Pharmacology, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India.
13. 1990―1996        DVM, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India.

Research

VISIT THE KUMAR LAB WEBSITE

In the Kumar Lab, research is focused on exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate vascular, metabolic, and placental function. Specifically, Dr. Kumar’s lab is interested in

• Investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hormone and growth factor regulation of vasodilatation and angiogenesis at the maternal, fetal and placental interface during normal pregnancy, as well as mechanisms for impaired responses in women with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth restriction.
• Determining the molecular mechanisms regulating ion channel and nutrient transport function in the human placenta and investigating the role of placenta in determining fetal growth and long-term health.
• Examining the underlying mechanisms by which adverse conditions during pregnancy negatively influence metabolic and cardiovascular health in the adult male and female offspring.

We employ physiological, molecular, and translational approaches, ranging from functional and molecular studies to interventions in various life stages (pregnancies, fetal, neonatal, young adults, and postmenopausal). Our lab utilizes state-of-the-art technologies and a wide variety of model systems, including primary human cells, explants, and tissue and mice, rats, and non-human primates.

These studies will offer exciting insights in understanding the mechanisms that contribute to maternal vascular and placental dysfunction and develop strategic ways to improve the lives of pregnant women and their children. This research will likely have significant positive repercussions in preventing programmable adult diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Responsibilities

• Veterinary Physiology A (fall semester)
• Developmental Anatomy (fall semester)

Graduate Training

Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology

Molecular and Environmental Toxicology

Cellular and Molecular Pathology

Recent Publications

1. Click here for complete list
2. Song R, Mishra JS, Dangudubiyyam SV, Antony KM, Baker TL, Watters JJ, Kumar S. Gestational Intermittent Hypoxia Induces Sex-Specific Impairment in Endothelial Mechanisms and Sex Steroid Hormone Levels in Male Rat Offspring. Reprod Sci. 2022 May;29(5):1531-1541.
3. Dangudubiyyam SV, Mishra JS, Zhao H, Kumar S. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure during pregnancy increases blood pressure and impairs vascular relaxation mechanisms in the adult offspring. Reprod Toxicol. 2020 Dec;98:165-173.
4. Mishra JS, Blesson CS, Kumar S. Testosterone Decreases Placental Mitochondrial Content and Cellular Bioenergetics. Biology (Basel). 2020 Jul 20;9(7).
5. Mishra JS, Zhao H, Hattis S, Kumar S. Elevated Glucose and Insulin Levels Decrease DHA Transfer across Human Trophoblasts via SIRT1-Dependent Mechanism. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 30;12(5).
6. Dutta S, Lai A, Scholz-Romero K, Shiddiky MJA, Yamauchi Y, Mishra JS, Rice GE, Hyett J, Kumar S, Salomon C. Hypoxia-induced small extracellular vesicle proteins regulate proinflammatory cytokines and systemic blood pressure in pregnant rats. Clin Sci (Lond). 2020 Mar 27;134(6):593-607.
7. Gopalakrishnan K, Kumar S. Whole-Genome Uterine Artery Transcriptome Profiling and Alternative Splicing Analysis in Rat Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 18;21(6).
8. Mishra JS, Te Riele GM, Qi QR, Lechuga TJ, Gopalakrishnan K, Chen DB, Kumar S. Estrogen Receptor-β Mediates Estradiol-Induced Pregnancy-Specific Uterine Artery Endothelial Cell Angiotensin Type-2 Receptor Expression. Hypertension. 2019 Oct;74(4):967-974.
9. Dutta S, Kumar S, Hyett J, Salomon C. Molecular Targets of Aspirin and Prevention of Preeclampsia and Their Potential Association with Circulating Extracellular Vesicles during Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 5;20(18).
10. Mishra JS, More AS, Gopalakrishnan K, Kumar S. Testosterone plays a permissive role in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy in male rats. Biol Reprod. 2019 Jan 1;100(1):139-148.
11. Mishra JS, Gopalakrishnan K, Kumar S. Pregnancy upregulates angiotensin type 2 receptor expression and increases blood flow in uterine arteries of rats. Biol Reprod. 2018 Nov 1;99(5):1091-1099.
12. Kumar S, Gordon GH, Abbott DH, Mishra JS. Androgens in maternal vascular and placental function: implications for preeclampsia pathogenesis. Reproduction. 2018 Oct 16;156(5):R155-R167.
13. Mishra JS, More AS, Kumar S. Elevated androgen levels induce hyperinsulinemia through increase in Ins1 transcription in pancreatic beta cells in female rats. Biol Reprod. 2018 Apr 1;98(4):520-531.
14. Gopalakrishnan K, More AS, Hankins GD, Nanovskaya TN, Kumar S. Postnatal Cardiovascular Consequences in the Offspring of Pregnant Rats Exposed to Smoking and Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapies. Reprod Sci. 2017 Jun;24(6):919-933.
15. Mishra JS, More AS, Hankins GDV, Kumar S. Hyperandrogenemia reduces endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxation in mesenteric artery of female rats. Biol Reprod. 2017 Jun 1;96(6):1221-1230.
16. Blesson CS, Chinnathambi V, Kumar S, Yallampalli C. Gestational Protein Restriction Impairs Glucose Disposal in the Gastrocnemius Muscles of Female Rats. Endocrinology. 2017 Apr 1;158(4):756-767.
17. Sheibani L, Lechuga TJ, Zhang H, Hameed A, Wing DA, Kumar S, Rosenfeld CR, Chen DB. Augmented H2S production via cystathionine-beta-synthase upregulation plays a role in pregnancy-associated uterine vasodilation. Biol Reprod. 2017 Mar 1;96(3):664-672.
18. Mishra JS, Hankins GD, Kumar S. Testosterone downregulates angiotensin II type-2 receptor via androgen receptor-mediated ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway in rat aorta. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 2016 Oct;17(4).
19. More AS, Mishra JS, Hankins GD, Kumar S. Prenatal Testosterone Exposure Decreases Aldosterone Production but Maintains Normal Plasma Volume and Increases Blood Pressure in Adult Female Rats. Biol Reprod. 2016 Aug;95(2):42.
20. Gopalakrishnan K, Mishra JS, Chinnathambi V, Vincent KL, Patrikeev I, Motamedi M, Saade GR, Hankins GD, Sathishkumar K. Elevated Testosterone Reduces Uterine Blood Flow, Spiral Artery Elongation, and Placental Oxygenation in Pregnant Rats. Hypertension. 2016 Mar;67(3):630-9.
21. More AS, Mishra JS, Gopalakrishnan K, Blesson CS, Hankins GD, Sathishkumar K. Prenatal Testosterone Exposure Leads to Gonadal Hormone-Dependent Hyperinsulinemia and Gonadal Hormone-Independent Glucose Intolerance in Adult Male Rat Offspring. Biol Reprod. 2016 Jan;94(1):5.
22. More AS, Mishra JS, Hankins GD, Yallampalli C, Sathishkumar K. Enalapril Normalizes Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor-Mediated Relaxation in Mesenteric Artery of Adult Hypertensive Rats Prenatally Exposed to Testosterone. Biol Reprod. 2015 Jun;92(6):155.
23. Blesson CS, Chinnathambi V, Hankins GD, Yallampalli C, Sathishkumar K. Prenatal testosterone exposure induces hypertension in adult females via androgen receptor-dependent protein kinase Cδ-mediated mechanism. Hypertension. 2015 Mar;65(3):683-690.
24. Chinnathambi V, Blesson CS, Vincent KL, Saade GR, Hankins GD, Yallampalli C, Sathishkumar K. Elevated testosterone levels during rat pregnancy cause hypersensitivity to angiotensin II and attenuation of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in uterine arteries. Hypertension. 2014 Aug;64(2):405-14.
25. Chinnathambi V, More AS, Hankins GD, Yallampalli C, Sathishkumar K. Gestational exposure to elevated testosterone levels induces hypertension via heightened vascular angiotensin II type 1 receptor signaling in rats. Biol Reprod. 2014 Jul;91(1):6.
26. Mishra JS, Kumar S. Activation of angiotensin type 2 receptor attenuates testosterone-induced hypertension and uterine vascular resistance in pregnant rats. Biol Reprod. 2021 Jul 2;105(1):192-203.