Project Summary/Abstract This proposal describes a one-year extension to a training program for Dr. Eva Furrow, a veterinary scientist at the University of Minnesota. Her research leverages the dog as a natural model to discover genetic and metabolic risk factors for calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones. Kidney stones affect 10% of the population, causing significant pain and an annual health cost of >$10 billion in the United States. Preventative therapies have low efficacy, and recurrence rates are greater than 50% in 5 years. In Dr. Furrow’s parent training award, she used dog and fly models to determine the role of dietary zinc and zinc transporter genes on CaOx stone risk. During this extension, Dr. Furrow will complete data analysis and training activities that will provide a strong foundation for her independent research career. The first objective of this extension is to analyze gene expression data to identify abnormalities in the regulation of zinc transporter genes associated with CaOx stones in dogs. The second objective is to communicate research findings to the general and scientific communities by publishing manuscripts, including one on Dr. Furrow’s discoveries of how zinc impacts stone risk in dogs, flies, and humans. The third objective is to secure support for additional work to discover mechanisms of stone risk through preparation and submission of an independent research grant proposal. This work is fundamental to understanding stone pathogenesis and discovering key targets for further research on preventative therapies. It will promote the success and sustainability of Dr. Furrow’s program in translational kidney stone research.