Research Activity

The division leads or contributes to research across the following themes: 1. Basic and applied translational research; 2. Clinical outcomes and implementation research; 3. Clinical trials; 4. Quality improvement and patient safety research.

Basic and translational research projects with a primary focus on ion-channels and immune regulation, epithelial transport, vascular biology, phosphate metabolism, acid-base physiology, and acute and chronic kidney injury.

Clinical outcomes research includes the disease areas of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation. The division also collaborates with pharmacy and nursing services to conduct implementation research in the areas of medication adherence and patient compliance. The focus on quality improvement and patient safety spans across all of our practice locations. The division co-directs a program at the VA to train a Chief Resident in Quality and Safety. This is a year-long training which focuses on developing QI projects, and teach and train residents and students about systematic methods of incorporating quality improvement methodology within the fabric of clinical practice.

The division is also at the forefront of planning or participating in national and international clinical trials of new drug development, devices, and other technology. There are over 10 to 15 active clinical trials in a variety of disease areas including polycystic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, anemia in kidney disease, and kidney transplantation.

National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, FDA, and Industry in part support the research conducted within the division. Research publications by the division of nephrology investigators have appeared in the most prestigious medical journals over the last decade including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, PNAS, Science, Translational Medicine, Journal of American Society of Nephrology, Kidney International, Critical Care Medicine and Stroke, among others.