We utilize the zebrafish animal model system to investigate both normal and pathophysiological growth and development in vertebrates. We are particularly interested in uncovering the underlying causes of disorders shared with humans including cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. Not only are we interested in the facets of the genetic program that predispose animals to particular maladies, but we are also interested in developing technological advances that permit quantitative phenotyping of relevant structures/functions. We typically focus on pathologies that have their roots in the developing embryo and larva as these stages are most amenable to the kinds of intravital optical and analytical techniques (e.g. high-speed confocal microscopy, servo-null micropressure, digital particle image velocimetry) used in our group.