Research

Research interests in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology are varied and directed to understanding kidney disease in children and improving their care.  

Eileen Tsai Chambers, MD
Areas of interest: Identifying immune biomarkers in kidney transplantation and improving non-adherence/transitional care of adolescents

Annabelle Chua, MD
Areas of interest: Improvement in the care of children with chronic renal failure through national cooperative studies, such as SCOPE

Rasheed Gbadegesin, MD
Areas of interest: Molecular genetics of nephrotic syndrome and other glomerular disease

Reeti Kumar, MD
Areas of interest: Diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, transplantation, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and congenital genitourinary anomalies, lupus nephritis. Clinical research focus involves national collaborative studies evaluating the care of children with cystinosis as well as quality improvement projects focused on transition of care of adolescents patients to adult care.

Shashi Nagaraj, MD, MBBS
Areas of interest: Identifying genetic causes of renal disease and other undiagnosed disorders through the Undiagnosed Diseases Clinic

Delbert Raye Wigfall, MD
Areas of interest: Diagnosis and treatment of secondary and inflammatory renal diseases, hypertension and general nephrology; specifically, treatment of childhood hypertension, infections, glomerulonephritis, and secondary disease related to sickle cell anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus

The Division is actively involved in studying methods to improve the care of patients with chronic kidney disease. Specifically, we are:

• Reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease by improving its detection and management, particularly by leveraging technology to facilitate engagement and self-management;
• Elucidating the inter-relationships between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, which together amplify the risk of death;
• Improving the evidence in nephrology through comparative effectiveness research, including clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses.
• Promoting more optimal clinical health policy for all patients with kidney disease.
• Improving the process of transitioning adolescents with kidney disease from pediatricians to internal medicine physicians, i.e., we are involved in developing tools to smooth this transition and improve the outcome.
• Actively involved in multicenter clinical trials of new treatments of hypertension and renal disease in children and adolescents. 
• Participating in national cooperative studies optimizing the care of children with chronic renal disease.

Basic research is being conducted to:

• Identify genetic abnormalities in children with nephrotic syndrome, especially those who are resistant to steroid treatment. Identifying these genetic disorders will increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome and the normal functioning of the glomerular filtration barrier. Ultimately, this research will lead to new methods of treatment.

For further information about clinical trials currently being conducted in the Division of Nephrology, please visit dukechildrens.org.