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The Alfred Newton Richards Award rewards outstanding basic research in kidney-related fields. This year’s winner, Paola Romagnani, is director of the department of medical specialties and head of the nephrology and dialysis unit at Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS in Florence, Italy, and full professor and chair of nephrology at the University of Florence.

Professor Romagnani graduated in medicine and surgery from the University of Florence, where she also obtained her PhD in endocrinology and completed her residency in nephrology. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering contributions to kidney biology, regenerative medicine, and precision nephrology. Her discoveries identified resident kidney progenitor cells and established their fundamental role in kidney homeostasis, regeneration, fibrosis, cancer development, and adaptation to pregnancy. More recently, her work has uncovered autoimmune mechanisms underlying podocytopathies and led to the development of innovative molecular diagnostic tools for the precision diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases.

Professor Romagnani has published more than 280 papers in leading international journals, including Science, Science Translational Medicine, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Immunology, Nature Reviews Nephrology, Nature Reviews Disease Primers, JCI, Blood, JASN, and Kidney International. Her work has received more than 35,000 citations (H-index 98). She has served on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and Kidney International, delivered more than 400 invited lectures worldwide, and has been awarded ERC Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants. In 2020, she received the ERA Award for Outstanding Basic Science Contributions to Nephrology.

Professor Romagnani comments, “I am truly honored to receive the ISN Alfred Newton Richards Award. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many outstanding collaborators and reinforces the importance of curiosity-driven research in transforming our understanding of kidney biology and translating new discoveries into better care for patients.”

Professor Romagnani will be presented with her award in one of the plenary sessions at WCN’27.

The Roscoe R. Robinson Award acknowledges outstanding achievements in education in nephrology and medicine. This year’s winner, László Rosivall, is the founder and president of the International Nephrology Research and Training Center in the Institute of Translational Medicine at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, and professor emeritus of Semmelweis University.

Professor Rosivall’s life is dedicated to the development of nephrology from molecules to bedside by educating a new generation of skillful nephrologists. He has supervised and mentored 32 PhD students; many of his students are already nephrologists, PhDs, DScs, and professors in Hungary and around the world leading recognized departments.

Professor Rosivall is founder and president of the Hungarian Kidney Foundation and Budapest Nephrology School, past president of Semmelweis University and the Hungarian Nephrological Society, founder and past president of Semmelweis PhD School on Nephrology, initiator of World Kidney Day, Gypsy Medical Education Program, and Sign Language Education at Semmelweis University. He is a Széchenyi and Khwarizmi awards laureate, member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, honorary doctor of University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, and honorary member of the Polish Nephrological Society.

Professor Rosivall’s major research interests cover kidney hemodynamics, renin-angiotensin system, and kidney fibrosis from molecules to bedside. He brought research experiences from Bergen, Birmingham, Harvard, Montpellier, Heidelberg, and Tulane Universities. He is editor-in-chief of Physiology International and serves on editorial boards of 16 peer-reviewed journals. He has published 224 articles, 91 chapters, 5 textbooks, 2 patents, over 15000 citations, and Hirsch-index 42.

Professor Rosivall has established Ignaz Semmelweis as an ambassador of Hungarian science by the installation of artistic bronze statues worldwide. He has coordinated the installation of 27 statues in 20 countries across 4 continents to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Semmelweis’s birth.

Professor Rosivall states, “I had the privilege of knowing the late Roscoe Robinson, and I am deeply honored to accept the award that bears his name.”

Professor Rosivall will be presented with his award in one of the plenary sessions at WCN’27.

The Lillian Jean Kaplan Prize recognizes individuals for excellence and leadership in PKD clinical or basic research whose seminal scientific work has advanced PKD knowledge and treatment. This year’s winner, Feng Qian, is a professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Dr. Qian is an internationally recognized leader in PKD research whose work over more than 25 years has helped define how the proteins most closely linked to inherited forms of PKD function, interact, and contribute to cyst formation, providing a stronger foundation for mechanism-based approaches to treatment. In addition, his development and sharing of specialized reagents and technical resources have strengthened the global PKD research community.

Dr. Qian comments, “I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of many outstanding colleagues, trainees, collaborators, and patients whose contributions have advanced our understanding of polycystic kidney disease. While significant progress has been made, important challenges remain. I look forward to continuing the pursuit of discoveries that deepen our understanding of PKD and ultimately improve the lives of patients and families affected by this disease.”

Dr. Qian will receive the prize and deliver a scientific talk during the ISN-PKD session at WCN’27.

Gloria Enow Ashuntantang-Some is a consultant nephrologist at the Yaoundé General Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. She is currently the dean of the faculty of health sciences of the University of Bamenda in Cameroon, the north west regional coordinator of the Cameroon higher national diploma examination and was recently appointed the pro-chancellor of the University of Buea in Cameroon.

Professor Ashuntantang-Some is holder of the MB; BS degree (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), certificate of specialisation in internal medicine (University of Yaounde I), diplôme de médecin spécialiste en néphrologie and an MD (University of Geneva, Switzerland). Her main area of research is chronic kidney disease care in sub-Saharan Africa. She was the first head of the nephrology specialisation program in Cameroon and has trained over 25 nephrologists in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. She has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and three textbook chapters.

Professor Ashuntantang-Some is the founding president of the Cameroon Nephrology Society, first female and past president of the African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN), past deputy-chair and chair of the ISN Africa Regional Board, past member of the ISN Executive Committee, past member of the KDIGO Executive Committee, and the immediate past vice president of the Cameroon Medical Council. She is a distinguished fellow of the European Renal Association, Knight of the Cameroon Order of Valour, and Officer of the Cameroon Order of Valour.

Professor Ashuntantang-Some states, “Thank you ISN. You have not only been the driving force for my growth in nephrology, but you have made nephrology known and felt in Africa.”

Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu is a professor of nephrology at Bezmialem Vakıf University in Istanbul, Türkiye, with an internationally recognized career in clinical nephrology, academic leadership, and global kidney health.

Following her medical degree, Professor Kazancıoğlu completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology at Istanbul University School of Medicine, Türkiye. She undertook advanced transplant training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Texas, USA, as an ISN Fellow in 2000. On her return to Türkiye, she established the nephrology clinic and fellowship program at Haseki Training and Research Hospital before joining Bezmialem Vakıf University, where she served as vice dean and later as rector from 2015 to 2025.

Professor Kazancıoğlu contributed to the ISN as council member (2016-2021), chair of the ISN Eastern and Central Europe Regional Board (2015-2021), and chair of the Fellowship Committee, promoting nephrology education and capacity building worldwide. Her research focuses on chronic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis, and disaster nephrology, with particular emphasis on improving kidney care during humanitarian crises.

Professor Kazancıoğlu has authored more than 100 SCI-indexed publications, numerous book chapters, and hundreds of scientific presentations. She continues to advance nephrology through education, research, international collaboration, and leadership in professional organizations dedicated to improving kidney health nationally and internationally.

Professor Kazancıoğlu comments, “I am very excited and honored to receive the Pioneer Award. This gives me the enthusiasm to pursue my dedication to improving nephrology education and kidney healthcare both nationally and internationally.”

Hercilio Alexandre da Luz Filho is a Brazilian nephrologist and administrator at Centro de Tratamento de Doenças Renais (CTDR) de Joinville Ltda., in Joinville-SC, Brazil.

Dr. da Luz Filho’s career has been marked by his commitment to improving kidney care and expanding access to kidney replacement therapy. After completing his medical training, he specialized in nephrology at Hospital da Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, where he developed a strong clinical and academic foundation. In 1985, he co-founded CTDR, one of the pioneering dialysis services in southern Brazil, followed by the establishment of Fundação Pró-Rim in 1987, a non-profit institution dedicated to excellence in nephrology, dialysis, kidney transplantation support, education, and research. As president of Fundação Pró-Rim from 2008 to 2015, he led initiatives that strengthened patient care, expanded clinical services, and promoted professional training.

Dr. da Luz Filho has been recognized for combining clinical excellence with visionary leadership, helping transform nephrology services in his region while advocating for equitable access to high-quality kidney care. His enduring contributions have positively influenced thousands of patients and inspired generations of healthcare professionals dedicated to the field of nephrology.

Dr. da Luz Filho comments, “Thank you to the International Society of Nephrology for this honor. Despite the challenges of nephrology, my love for this profession and for my patients has always been my greatest motivation.”

Ali Abu-Alfa is a tenured professor of medicine and the chairperson of the department of internal medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon. He is also a professor adjunct in the section of nephrology, department of internal medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut, USA. He is the immediate past head of the division of nephrology and hypertension (2010-2023), and immediate past director for the Human Research Protection Program at AUB (2011-2026).

Professor Abu-Alfa is the immediate past chair of the ISN’s Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group (2023-2026) and continues to serve as its advisor. He represents ISN on the ASN-ERA-ISN Kidney Support Initiative and served as chair of the ISN Middle East Regional Board and council member (2021-2023). He is a past president of the Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (2018-21) and has served as a KDIGO executive council member (2016-2018). He is the founding chair of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) – Middle East Chapter and co-organized the ISPD 2024 Global Congress in Dubai.

Professor Abu-Alfa’s research interests are in the spheres of peritoneal dialysis and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. He has been focusing his scholarly activities on the areas of human subject research ethics and support for kidney care in humanitarian settings.

Professor Abu-Alfa states, “I am most honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2027 ISN Pioneer Award for the Middle East Region. This award is truly a recognition of the commitment and the collective efforts of many in the region to enhance renal care through education and capacity building in nephrology, and to advance the global mission of ISN.”

Ashot Sarkissian is head of the division of nephrology, dialysis and transplantation of Arabkir Medical Centre and chair of the department of pediatrics at Yerevan State Medical University in Yerevan, Armenia.

After graduating from Yerevan State Medical Institute, Professor Sarkissian completed fellowship training in pediatric nephrology at the Institute of Pediatrics in Moscow, Russia, and received advanced professional training at the University Children’s Hospital Zurich in Switzerland, and the University Hospital Antwerp in Belgium. These international collaborations played a pivotal role in establishing Armenia’s living-donor kidney transplantation program and advancing nephrology services.

Professor Sarkissian has been instrumental in modernizing pediatric education and developing nephrology, dialysis, and transplantation services in Armenia. His clinical and research interests include pediatric kidney diseases, hereditary nephropathies, kidney transplantation, and chronic kidney disease. He has authored nearly 90 scientific publications and is actively involved in international nephrology through the ISN, International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), and European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN). He currently serves as president of both the Armenian Pediatric Association and the Armenian Association of Nephrology, Hemodialysis and Transplantation.

Professor Sarkissian comments, “I am deeply honored to receive the ISN Pioneer Award. This recognition reflects the dedication of my colleagues and our shared commitment to advancing both pediatric and adult nephrology, expanding access to high-quality kidney care, and improving the lives of patients in Armenia and beyond.”

Chuluuntsetseg Dorj is a consultant physician at the Kidney Center, The First Central Hospital of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. She is a Mongolian nephrologist, clinical professor, and consultant physician who has played a pivotal role in developing kidney care services in Mongolia.

Dr. Dorj graduated from the Mongolian University of Medical Sciences with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1984 and earned a Master of Medical Sciences degree in 1990. She was appointed clinical professor in 2002 and achieved the highest professional rank of consultant physician in 2020. She has devoted more than four decades to clinical care, medical education, and health system leadership. She served as head of the Hemodialysis Center and Kidney Center at the First Central Hospital of Mongolia from 2005 to 2022, where she led the country’s national referral center for nephrology services, training, and clinical guidance. Under her leadership, Mongolia’s dialysis capacity expanded from only a few machines to a nationwide network serving patients in all 21 provinces and the districts of Ulaanbaatar. She also introduced peritoneal dialysis to Mongolia, established kidney biopsy diagnostics, developed national nephrology guidelines and training programs, and has trained hundreds of physicians, nurses, technicians, and nephrologists.

Dr. Dorj is a founding member of the Mongolian Nephrology Association, chairperson of the Mongolian Hemodialysis Association, member of the Ministry of Health’s Internal Medicine Professional Council, and a national consultant nephrologist. She has established long-standing international collaborations with leading nephrology institutions in the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, advancing education, research, and clinical excellence in kidney care across Mongolia.

Dr. Dorj states, “I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to receive the 2027 ISN North and East Asia Pioneer Award. It is a great privilege to be recognized by the ISN. On behalf of the Mongolian Nephrology Association, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to ISN for recognizing the collective efforts and dedication of both our senior pioneers and the current generation of nephrology professionals who have worked tirelessly to advance kidney care in our country.”

Abu Bakar Suleiman is the president of the board of governors of the Malaysia National Kidney Foundation in Malaysia.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Suleiman graduated with MBBS from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, then obtained his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and master’s in medicine (Int. Meds) at the National University of Singapore. He completed fellowships in nephrology with Dr. George Schreiner at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C., USA, and with Dr. Robert Atkins at Prince Henry’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Suleiman returned to the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in mid 1976 and started the nephrology services, with clinical nephrology, renal transplantation, haemodialysis, and later continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). He quickly extended haemodialysis services to other general hospitals and promoted selfcare haemodialysis at home and in the offices and had more than four hundred patients doing this treatment all over the country by the mid 1980s.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Suleiman was appointed director general of health from October 1991 until February 2001. He was responsible for championing the National Quality Assurance Programme in the Ministry of Health. He initiated digital health in the Ministry of Health by developing The National Telemedicine Blueprint, 1997, and was responsible for setting up two new hospitals, Selayang and Putrajaya, to be completely paperless and filmless in 1998. He became president of The International Medical University (IMU) in 2001 and remained on the board until his retirement in 2024. He was master of the academy of medicine Malaysia, and president of the Malaysian Medical Association, Malaysian Society of Nephrology, and The Malaysian Society of Transplantation.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Suleiman comments, “It is a great honour to me, and a wonderful tribute to my colleagues and team members in nephrology in Malaysia.”

Devinder Singh Rana is chairman of the Institute of Renal Sciences and Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, and emeritus consultant nephrologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in New Deli, India.

Dr. Rana is a nephrologist who has spent over four decades pioneering kidney care in India. As chairman of the Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, he established the hospital’s department of nephrology in 1981, introducing the first maintenance hemodialysis and vascular access services in North India’s non-government sector. Under his leadership, the department became an international hub, training over 100 DNB fellows, executing over 6,000 kidney transplants, and pioneering complex immunological protocols like ABO-incompatible (ABOi) transplantation.

As a former president of both the Indian Society of Nephrology and the Asian Society of Transplantation, Dr. Rana founded the Indian Society of Hemodialysis in 2002 to standardize procedure safety. He has authored extensive research and driven policy for ethical medical practice. In recognition of his foundational contributions to medicine, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri award in 2009, alongside the prestigious Dr. B.C. Roy National Award. His selection for the 2027 ISN Pioneer Award for South Asia honors a lifetime of systemic healthcare transformation.

Dr. Rana states, “I am deeply humbled and thrilled to receive the 2027 ISN Pioneer Award. This honor reinforces our collective mission to expand accessible, high-quality kidney care across South Asia and inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in renal medicine.”