The NKF Honors Dr. Martin Pollak with The David M. Hume Memorial Award for Pioneering Research in Kidney Genetics
(April 22, 2024, New York, NY) — The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) proudly announces that Nephrologist and Professor of Medicine Martin Pollak, MD, is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious David M. Hume Memorial Award. Each year, the NKF meticulously evaluates specialists in nephrology, selecting those who exemplify the organization's relentless efforts to improve patient outcomes through action, education, and accelerating change. Dr. Pollak deserves this award for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding the genetic basis of kidney disease. This award will be presented to him at the annual NKF 2024 Spring Clinical Meetings (SCM) in Long Beach, CA, in May.
"I am deeply honored to see the work of my dedicated lab members, colleagues, and collaborators be recognized by the NKF,” said Dr. Martin Pollak. "We think that understanding kidney disease at a very fundamental level will provide the best chance of eliminating these diseases. It is imperative that we continue our commitment to studying the genetics and biology of kidney disease as this understanding holds the key to prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment."
Dr. Pollak, a graduate of Princeton University and the New York University School of Medicine, has dedicated his career to unraveling the complexities of kidney disorders, particularly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), with a focus on addressing disparities in kidney-related care.
Dr. Pollak's illustrious journey in nephrology began with an internal medicine residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, followed by a clinical and research fellowship in nephrology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. He is currently Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Division of Nephrology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Pollak's research encompasses a broad spectrum of genetic inquiries aimed at deciphering the mechanisms underlying kidney diseases.
A central focus of Dr. Pollak's work has been identifying and understanding the genes implicated in the development of FSGS, particularly in populations with a higher predisposition, such as African Americans. Through groundbreaking research, Dr. Pollak and his team uncovered a common coding sequence of variants in the APOL1 gene, shedding light on the disproportionate burden of kidney disease in African Americans.
"We are thrilled to honor Dr. Martin Pollak with the prestigious David M. Hume Memorial Award,” said NKF President Sylvia Rosas, MD, MSCE. “His groundbreaking research in understanding the genetic basis of kidney disease has significantly advanced our understanding of these conditions. Dr. Pollak's dedication to unraveling the complexities of kidney disorders, particularly focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and his commitment to addressing disparities in kidney-related care make him a deserving recipient of this esteemed accolade. His contributions have facilitated our understanding of APOL1 function and helped launch clinical trials that will hopefully lead us towards a cure for APOL1 mediated kidney diseases."
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Dr. Pollak is committed to educating the next generation of medical professionals by sharing his expertise with medical students, residents, and fellows. He is a distinguished member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the National Academy of Sciences.
The annual NKF 2024 Spring Clinical Meetings (SCM) will be held in Long Beach, CA, from
May 14 – 18.
NKF Spring Clinical Meetings
For the past 32 years, nephrology healthcare professionals from across the country have come to NKF’s Spring Clinical Meetings to learn about the newest developments related to all aspects of nephrology practice; network with colleagues; and present their research findings. The NKF Spring Clinical Meetings is designed for meaningful change in the multidisciplinary healthcare teams’ skills, performance, and patient health outcomes. It is the only conference of its kind that focuses on translating science into practice for the entire healthcare team.
About Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 37 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
NKF Professional Membership
Healthcare professionals can join NKF to receive access to tools and resources for both patients and professionals, discounts on professional education, and access to a network of thousands of individuals who treat patients with kidney disease.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about kidney disease, please visit www.kidney.org/
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