Vivekanand Jha
India
Jean Hamburger Award
The Jean Hamburger Award recognizes outstanding research in nephrology with a clinical emphasis.
Professor Vivekanand Jha is Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health, India, Chair of Global Kidney Health at Imperial College London, UK, and a former President of the International Society of Nephrology. His research has contributed to the understanding and management of kidney diseases, both acute and chronic, especially in resource-limited settings. He leads and designs multidisciplinary studies and clinical trials to improve healthcare delivery for kidney disorders and non-communicable diseases, with emphasis on equity, affordability, and health systems innovation.
Professor Jha’s work has had a major impact by expanding access to sustainable kidney care, training future leaders, supporting impactful, people-relevant research, and shifting global kidney disease policy from treatment to prevention and health system strengthening. His key research contributions have been in helping develop better data and information systems to measure the burden of kidney diseases and the global capacity to address it, shaping policy and practice by highlighting global disparities in kidney care and influencing WHO priorities. He has pioneered mHealth and workforce reengineering strategies for rural and urban slums, improving CKD prevention and early identification, and developed widely adopted primary and secondary prevention tools for kidney disease, supported by cohort studies and multi-country clinical trials. He has advanced global capacity-building by launching nephrologist and health worker training hubs, and national and global mentorship and leadership programs. His work is reflected in the prolific output with over 600 publications and 50+ book chapters, widely cited for policy and guideline development.
Commenting on his award, Professor Jha says, “I’m deeply honored to join the list of distinguished recipients of the Jean Hamburger Award, all of whom are my personal heroes. This recognition affirms our collective mission of addressing kidney disease inequities globally, and is a testament to the collaborative efforts of countless mentors, colleagues, and patients who have shaped my research journey. This award strengthens my resolve to continue advancing kidney care for underserved populations worldwide.”
Professor Jha will receive his award in the WCN Opening Ceremony/Plenary Session 1 on March 28, 2026, from 2 p.m. Japan Standard Time in the Main Hall.