• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
UCLA Urology

UCLA Urology

UCLA Urology
  • About Us
    • Chair's Welcome
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Innovations and Technology
    • UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology
    • Webinars
    • Contact Us
    • News and Events
    • Newsletters
    • Our History
    • Our Milestones
    • The Men's Clinic at UCLA
    • Jobs
    • Giving
  • Clinical Programs
    • Bladder Cancer
    • General Adult Urology
    • Kidney Cancer
    • Kidney Stone Center
    • Kidney Transplant Program
    • Male Urology
    • Minimally Invasive/Robotics Surgery
    • Pediatric Urology Program
    • Pelvic Medicine and Reconstruction
    • Prostate Cancer Program
    • Testicular Cancer
    • Urologic Oncology
    • Conditions Treated
  • Clinical Trials
    • Find a Doctor
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Learn More About Clinical Trials
  • For Patients
    • COVID-19 Message to Our Patients
    • Get an Expert Second Opinion
    • Telemedicine Visits Available
    • Appointment Request
    • myUCLAhealth
    • Contact Us
    • Maps and Directions
    • Clinical Updates
    • Preparing for Surgery
    • Interactive Procedure Videos
    • Patient Education
    • Patient Stories
    • Video Gallery
    • Webinars
    • Vital Signs Publications
    • UCLA Blood Donation
    • UCLA Overnight Accommodations
    • Urology Portal
  • Research
    • Bladder Cancer Research
    • Kidney Cancer Research
    • Male Urology Research
    • Pediatric Urology Research
    • Prostate Cancer Research
    • SPORE In Prostate Cancer
    • Health Services Research
    • Faculty Publications
  • Education
    • Housestaff Roster 2020-21
    • Residency
    • Fellowships
    • Medical Student Program
    • Aerial Tour: Why Choose UCLA?
  • For Healthcare Professionals
    • How to Refer a Patient
    • Physicians Updates & Clinical Updates
    • Events and CME Courses
    • eReferrals
  • Physician Directory
    • UCLA Faculty and Providers
    • Joint Appointments/Research Faculty
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

UCLA Urology

Dr. Kymora Scotland - UCLA Health Innovation Challenge Award

  1. Home
  2. Dr. Kymora Scotland - UCLA Health Innovation Challenge Award

Dr. Kymora Scotland - UCLA Health Innovation Challenge Award

Share this

UCLA Health Innovation Challenge Award

Dr. Scotland

Dr. Kymora Scotland, Assistant Professor of Urology, received a $150,000 UCLA Health Innovation Challenge Award for her ureteral peristalsis research project. Her work will focus on identifying and better characterizing the specific cell population responsible for the initiation of ureteral peristalsis.Peristalsis is an important process that, through a series of muscle contractions, propels urine toward the bladder. This automatic function takes place largely in the ureter, which is the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.

According to Dr. Scotland, “We have a limited grasp of the signaling pathways involved in both dysfunctional and normal peristalsis. Through a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the peristaltic process, we will be able to address the disorganized ureteral contractions identified in occurrences ranging from congenital disorders such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, to dysfunctional peristalsis seen after ureteral stent placement.” This dysfunction contributes to the renal obstruction and eventual chronic kidney disease seen in numerous urologic disorders, so her work will ultimately contribute to the development of therapeutic targets for renal protection. The particular innovation of this project is the development and utilization of a novel tool for discovering and robustly evaluating individual contractile cells.

The UCLA Health Innovation Challenge was initiated to provide caregivers, staff, trainees, patients, volunteers and students the opportunity to help advance long-lasting health and wellness solutions. A total of 39 projects were funded and more than $1.1 million was disbursed from health system funds and philanthropic contributions from UCLA donors committed to helping foster clinical innovation.

More information on the Innovation Challenge winners >

 

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
UCLA Health hospitals ranked best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest