The overall aim of the Alexander lab is to understand the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension.  

Since cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and hypertension is the leading risk factor for death and disability, there is a tremendous opportunity to impact public health through better understanding the pathogenesis of hypertension and developing new treatment strategies.

Emerging evidence demonstrates a key role for a variety of innate and adaptive immune cells in the pathogenesis of hypertension and related end-organ damage. Our lab is investigating the roles of immune cell subsets, particularly regulatory T cells and neutrophils.

We believe that there is great potential for immune-based approaches as a new treatment paradigm for hypertension that co-opts the inherent specificity and memory of the immune system. Our work intersects the fields of cardiovascular medicine, rheumatology, immunology, and physiology.​​​​​​​