About Me
Dhanendra Tomar is an assistant professor of cardiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
His work aims to identify the new molecular regulators and events involved in mitochondrial calcium flux/sensing, mitochondrial structural homeostasis, protein quality control and cell death, and how they contribute to the onset of cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondrial calcium exchange is a critical regulator of cellular bioenergetics, specifically in excitable cells, like cardiomyocytes, due to their high-energy demands. However, excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake also contributes to cell death and bioenergetic failure.
To gain in-depth knowledge of mitochondrial organization and functions, the Tomar Lab uses multidisciplinary approaches utilizing cell and molecular biology techniques, protein biochemistry, calcium flux analysis, cellular respiration measurements, omics-based approaches, live-cell imaging, mutant and transgenic mouse models and in vivo physiological methods.
Tomar’s affiliations include the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Cardiovascular Sciences Center, the Center for Redox Biology and Medicine, the Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention, the Center for Precision Medicine, the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center on Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
He has been recognized internationally with awards from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research in India, the American Heart Association and many others. His work has been widely published. He serves as an editor and a reviewer for multiple journals, including Frontiers in Physiology.
Tomar received a master’s degree in microbiology at Gurukul Kangri University in Haridwar, India. He received a Doctor of Philosophy in biotechnology and cell biology at the University of Pune in India. He has completed multiple fellowships, including those supported by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.