Tanecia Mitchell, Ph.D., an assistant professor with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Urology, received a Young Investigator Award.

Mitchell was selected for the award sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/National Institute of Health and the American Physiological Society for her research "Macrophage immunometabolism is suppressed following oxalate exposure and uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) infection," presented at the annual American Society of Nephrology, Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists Symposium.

Mitchell’s research focuses on the role of oxalate, a small molecule found in certain leafy foods and kidney stones, on monocyte function and their ability to respond to bacteria. Her findings suggest dietary oxalate could influence immunity during kidney stone formation and associated urinary tract infections. Her future goals are to identify specific mechanisms involved in these processes using experimental models and clinical trials.