Overview
Training the future generation of kidney researchers is a central mission of UW Nephrology and the Kidney Research Institute.
Our research trainees have access to expansive kidney research 
infrastructure to lead studies across the spectrum of disease (including acute kidney injury, glomerular disease, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage kidney disease) and methodology (including but not limited to health services, epidemiology, clinical trials, physiological models and more.)
Training in kidney disease-related research has been supported by an NIH-funded T32 program since 1985. Since 2024, our research trainees are supported by a NIDDK U2C/TL1 award. Research fellows complete at least two years of dedicated research training in clinical, basic, or translational sciences with a guaranteed 75% of protected time. The program has a strong record of success in transitioning research trainees to career development awards.
Research Training Activities
UW and the KRI are dynamic, interactive, and supportive environments for research trainees.
There are numerous activities to enhance research professional development and success for our trainees, including:
- Weekly inter-disciplinary works-in-progress seminar (Thursdays 3-4 pm)
- Weekly biostatistics office hours (Thursdays 9-10 am)
- Peer and near-peer mentorship
- Mock study sections
- Summer R bootcamp
- Monthly mechanisms of disease seminar
- Annual research trainee retreat (August)
- Annual Scientific Advisory Committee meeting
- Annual Patient Advisory Committee meeting
- Research methods longitudinal course (Spring)
- Annual Department of Medicine “Surviving and Thriving the Research Years” course
- Career development sessions
Research Training Support 
Research trainees have access to a wealth of resources.
- Mentors across the UW ecosystem, across disciplines, including KRI Investigators and UW Nephrology Faculty
- Access to numerous international and national datasets
- Biostatisticians
Research Scientist, KRI
- Laboratory Medicine
Research laboratory run by Andy Hoofnagle, MD, PhD
- Grants - Internal small grants program
- Research Staff - project managers, regulatory specialists, and research coordinators
Trainee Coursework
Research trainees may pursue formal coursework leading to a certificate or Master's degree (MPH or MS) in the UW School of Public Health, recently ranked #3 globally.
Research trainees may also pursue formal didactic training in clinical, translational, and basic research methods at the UW Graduate School.
- School of Public Health MS in Epidemiology (Clinical and Translational Research Track)
UW Nephrology Clinical Research Fellows
| Trainee | Training Track | Mentor |
|---|---|---|
| Mahlet Assefa | Clinical Research | Nisha Bansal |
| Justin Bullock | Clinical Research | Ann O'Hare |
| Liz Kiernan | Clinical Research | Ian de Boer |
| Anna Zemke | Clinical Research | Nisha Bansal |
Leadership
Director of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Course
co-PI, Nephrology U2C/TL1 Grant
Nephrology Fellowship & Education Program
Fellowship & Education Program Administrator
UW Nephrology Fellowship Program
Fellows individualize their training through extensive subspecialty electives, diverse clinic populations, formal didactics and tutorials, and mentored scholarly activity in various areas ranging from glomerular diseases to innovative dialysis technologies.
