2026 Donald Seldin Lecturer – Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, FAHA

Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, FAHA

University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida

Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, is a professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology and director of the University of South Florida (USF) Hypertension and Kidney Research Center. He earned his PhD from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Staruschenko’s research focuses on the molecular and physiological mechanisms regulating ion transport, electrolyte homeostasis and blood pressure control in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. His laboratory integrates renal physiology with advanced omics, high-resolution imaging, electrophysiology and bioinformatics to investigate the mechanisms of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and related cardiometabolic disorders. Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, Veterans Affairs, American Heart Association and other agencies, Staruschenko has published more than 210 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. A hallmark of his research program is its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, bringing together investigators with complementary expertise to accelerate the discovery of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Staruschenko has trained numerous undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty members, many of whom have established independent academic careers and secured competitive fellowships and career development awards. His dedication to mentorship has been recognized by the USF Outstanding Postdoctoral Mentor Award (2021), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Excellence in Mentoring Award (2024) and the APS Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen Distinguished Mentor and Scientist Award (2026).

Staruschenko has also provided extensive service to the scientific community. He served as chair of the American Heart Association Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease Council and has held editorial roles for leading journals while serving on numerous NIH, VA, Department of Defense, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and international review panels. His contributions have been recognized through more than 100 invited lectures and honors, including the American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Researcher Award (2022), the USF Outstanding Research Achievement Award (2025), and the American Physiological Society Renal Section Carl W. Gottschalk Distinguished Lectureship (2027).