2016 ASN Kidney STARS (Students and Residents at Kidney Week) - Project Description
The annual meeting (Kidney Week) of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) brings together renowned
nephrology leadership from around the world. Kidney Week allows participants to share novel and innovative
approaches to changes in health care, to advance their careers, strengthen clinical and basic research funding
mechanisms, and develop best practices for treating and improving lives of the people who live with kidney
disease. Specific focuses in nephrology include acute kidney injury, bone and mineral metabolism, cell and
transport physiology, chronic kidney disease, development, dialysis, glomerulonephritis, hypertension and
cardiovascular disease, novel translational approaches, pathology, renal cystic diseases, and transplantation
and immunology. Kidney Week 2015 will be held from November 15 - 20, 2016, at McCormick Place in
Chicago, IL.
Kidney STARS, formally known as the ASN Program for Students and Residents, has been held at Kidney
Week for more than 15 years. Program events include a welcome breakfast with nephrology leadership and
fellows, panel discussions with career nephrologists, and a farewell lunch. Participants are also placed into
small groups and assigned a mentor for guidance through other Kidney Week activities, including scientific and
educational symposia and abstract poster tours. In 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015 a focus group of
students met with representatives from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK). Unfortunately in 2012, the focus group was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. NIDDK will be invited
to host a session in 2016.
Participating medical students, graduate students and residents will have the opportunity to interact with world
leaders in the field of nephrology and gain from exposure to educational material and novel research. As most
of these trainees have not yet chosen a subspecialty path, this program is especially formative in their
decision-making process. The purpose of this grant application is to request funds to provide additional travel
support awards to students and residents.