(New York, NY) — (April 7, 2026) — The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) today announced that Haewook Han, PhD, RD, LDN, FNKF, has been appointed the next Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Renal Nutrition, a leading peer‑reviewed journal dedicated to advancing nutrition science and clinical practice for kidney disease. Dr. Han’s term will begin January 1, 2027, with a transition period starting later this summer in collaboration with current Editor-in-Chief Dr. Linda Moore.
Dr. Han is a nationally recognized expert in renal nutrition and chronic kidney disease (CKD) management. She currently serves as Director of the Combined Master’s and Dietetic Internship Program at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, where she teaches and mentors graduate students and dietetic interns in kidney nutrition and the dietary management of kidney stones.
“Dr. Han brings exceptional clinical expertise, research experience, and leadership in renal nutrition,” said Jill Hoyt, RDN, CD, FNKF, Chair of the NKF Council on Renal Nutrition Executive Committee. “Her deep commitment to advancing nutrition science and supporting clinicians will strengthen the Journal of Renal Nutrition as a vital resource for the kidney care community.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Han has integrated clinical care, research, and education to improve nutrition management for people living with kidney disease. She has worked extensively with patients across all stages of CKD and has contributed to research demonstrating the benefits of team-based care that includes specialized nutrition support.
As Editor‑in‑Chief, Dr. Han will work with the journal’s editorial board and the National Kidney Foundation to further expand the journal’s impact and ensure it continues to deliver timely research and practical guidance for clinicians, dietitians, and researchers dedicated to improving outcomes for people living with kidney disease. Building on the strong foundation established under the leadership of outgoing Editor-in-Chief Dr. Linda Moore, during which the journal experienced meaningful growth in reach and influence, Dr. Han will continue to advance the journal’s visibility, relevance, and impact within the kidney community.
“I am honored to serve as the next Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Renal Nutrition,” said Dr. Han. “The journal plays a critical role in sharing evidence‑based research and practical guidance that helps clinicians provide better care for patients with kidney disease. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues around the world to advance knowledge in renal nutrition.”
Dr. Han has served on the Journal of Renal Nutrition editorial board for many years and is widely recognized for her leadership in the field. She has been active in the National Kidney Foundation’s Council on Renal Nutrition and the Renal Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and recently served on the Advisory Board of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation.
Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including the Joel D. Kopple Award from the National Kidney Foundation in 2022, recognizing outstanding contributions to renal nutrition research and practice.
About the Journal of Renal Nutrition
The Journal of Renal Nutrition is devoted exclusively to renal nutrition science and rental dietetics. Its content is appropriate for nutritionists, physicians, and researchers working in nephrology. Each issue contains a state-of-the-art review, original research, articles on the clinical management and education of patients, a current literature review, and nutritional analysis of food products that have clinical relevance.
About Kidney Disease
In the United States, CKD remains an under-recognized public health burden that impacts 1 in 7 adults, and 90 percent of those affected are unaware of their condition. Approximately 1 in 3 U.S. adults are at risk for CKD, but less than 20% are assessed with guideline-recommended testing, eGFR and uACR. 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 develop kidney failure. Hispanic and Native American people experience kidney failure at approximately double the rate of White people.
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 NKF, visit www.kidney.org.
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Sam Tyler
Director of Professional and Scientific Communications
National Kidney Foundation
Phone: 202-279-1505
Email: sam.tyler@kidney.org