Liz Kiernan receives American Kidney Fund grant

Dr. Liz Kiernan, fellow (Nephrology) is a 2026 awardee of a research grant from the American Kidney Fund’s prestigious Clinical Scientist in Nephrology (CSN) Program, which funds early-career nephrologists dedicated to improving diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).   

She joins a list of distinguished nephrology researchers who received support early in their careers through the CSN program, which was launched in 1989.

Kiernan will investigate endothelial cell signaling using kidney biopsies from patients with diabetes and acute kidney injury. The goal of her research is to identify specific molecular patterns that indicate endothelial injury and to understand how these patterns are associated with disease manifestation and clinical outcomes.

She hopes to apply these findings to improve non-invasive assessment of disease and to guide development of targeted therapies that will benefit patients as individuals.

“I chose to become a nephrologist to help patients who suffer from a disease that is often recognized late in its course with life-altering implications,” said Kiernan. “Modern scientific research methods have equipped us with tools to enable earlier disease identification and to reveal mechanisms that drive disease progression. I believe nephrology stands at the precipice of transformative advancements that will improve the lives of our patients. I am honored to receive the support of the American Kidney Fund and to join a community of scientists devoted to this mission.”