Sampson Lab Welcomes a New Member and Says Goodbye to a Familiar Face

This month, the Sampson Lab is welcoming Guy Chowers, MD, while also wishing Victoria Mezger, MSc, the very best as she returns to Heidelberg University.

Victoria spent her time in the lab studying A-to-I RNA editing in kidney tissue from patients with nephrotic syndrome, including how genetic variation may influence RNA editing. Her work identified patterns of clustered editing associated with lower immune-related gene expression and better kidney function in participants with FSGS and minimal change disease. That work is now available as a preprint.

She also contributed to projects involving cell-type deconvolution of kidney tissue and the structural characterization of MAFB variants. Beyond the science, Victoria helped bring the Sampson and Lee Labs together by organizing lab social events and get-togethers.

Victoria is now returning to Heidelberg University for her final two years of medical school while continuing her medical research thesis with the lab and pursuing PhD research in statistics.

At the same time, we’re excited to welcome Guy Chowers, a pediatric nephrology fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital. Guy received his MD from Tel Aviv University and completed his pediatrics residency at the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba Medical Center in Israel.

Guy joins the Sampson Lab with a research background in nephrogenetics and an interest in the genetics and molecular mechanisms of kidney disease. His current work includes a collaboration with the Greka Lab at the Broad Institute, focused on translating genetic discoveries in nephrotic syndrome into a better understanding of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic opportunities.

Welcome, Guy, and thank you, Victoria, for everything you brought to the lab!