ASN Foundation for Kidney Research provides $2.8 million to improve care for kidney patients

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and the ASN Foundation for Kidney Research will fund $2.8 million in original, meritorious research in 2014 to improve care for the more than 20 million Americans with kidney disease, and for kidney patients worldwide.

"The ASN Foundation for Kidney Research helps prevent and cure kidney diseases through research and innovation. By adding 19 new research projects to a strong funding portfolio, the ASN Foundation for Kidney Research helps kidney professionals apply their talents to make a positive difference in the lives of millions," Chair of the Board of Directors Bruce A. Molitoris, MD, FASN, said.

The Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program supports nephrology fellows who will advance the understanding of kidney biology and disease. The 2014 class includes:

Ben J. Lipps Research Fellows

• Akinwande A. Akinfolarin, MBBS, Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Pei-Lun Chu, MD, PhD, University of Virginia
• Daniel Fantus, MD, University of Pittsburgh
• Silvia Ferr-, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern
• Michelle M. O'Shaughnessy, MD, MBChB, Stanford University
  Donald E. Wesson Research Fellow
• Nicholas Zwang, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
  Joseph A. Carlucci Research Fellow
• Gene- Yuan Chang, MD, University of California San Francisco
  Sharon Anderson Research Fellow
• Moshe Shashar, MD, Boston Medical Center
  ASN Foundation for Kidney Research Fellows
• Javier A. Neyra, MD, University of Texas Southwestern
• Rabi Yacoub, MD, Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The foundation's Career Development Grants Program helps young investigators achieve independent research careers. Funding supports basic and clinical research in adult and pediatric nephrology, immunology and genetics directly relevant to human membranous nephropathy, glomerular diseases and idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The 2014 recipients are:

Carl W. Gottschalk Research Scholar Grants

• Michael Butterworth, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
• Kirk N. Campbell, MD, Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Krzysztof Kiryluk, MD, Columbia University
• Timmy C. Lee, MD, FASN, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Ethan Marin, MD, PhD, Yale School of Medicine
• Brian B. Ratliff, PhD, New York Medical College
• Matthias Wolf, MD, University of Texas Southwestern
  John Merrill Grant in Transplantation
• Martin H. Oberbarnscheidt, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
  The NephCure Foundation-ASN Foundation for Kidney Research Grant
• Heon Yung Gee, MD, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital

"The 2014 grant recipients will propel advances in patient care and outcomes through basic, translational and clinical research," Dr. Molitoris said. "ASN is delighted to support this research and foster the careers of the next generation of investigators who will advance care for kidney patients."