Dr. Liz Kiernan receives AKF Clinical Scientist in Nephrology Program Award
Liz Kiernan, MD, receives American Kidney Fund Grant to study endothelial cell signaling
Dr. Liz Kiernan joins a list of distinguished nephrology researchers who received early-career support through the Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) Program, launched in 1989.
In her research, Dr. Kiernan will investigate endothelial cell signaling using kidney biopsies from patients with diabetes and acute kidney injury. The goal of her research is to identify specific molecular patterns that indicate endothelial injury and to understand how these patterns are associated with disease manifestation and clinical outcomes. Dr. Kiernan hopes to apply these findings to improve non-invasive assessment of disease and to guide development of targeted therapies that will benefit patients as individuals.
"I chose to become a nephrologist to help patients who suffer from a disease that is often recognized late in its course with life-altering implications," said Dr. Kiernan. "Modern scientific research methods have equipped us with tools to enable earlier disease identification and to reveal mechanisms that drive disease progression. I believe nephrology stands at the precipice of transformative advancements that will improve the lives of our patients. I am honored to receive the support of the American Kidney Fund and to join a community of scientists devoted to this mission."
Dr. Kiernan is a clinical research fellow in nephrology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry at the Pennsylvania State University and her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. She then completed her residency in internal medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and served as an assistant chief of service in 2024-25.
