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Nephrology NEXUS

A DR. BARBARA T. MURPHY DIVISION OF NEPHROLOGY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

One Gustave L Levy Place, Box 1243

New York, NY 10029

NephrologyDivision@mssm edu

A Message from the Chief

John Cijiang He, MD, PhD

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to Volume II, Issue I of Nephrology Nexus As the second issue of our newsletter, this edition reflects both momentum and purpose sharing key updates on our clinical expansion, scholarly achievements, and continued advances in education and research across the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Nephrology Nexus is more than a newsletter it is a point of connection By design, it brings together alumni, faculty, fellows, administrators, and staff as one community united by a shared commitment to advancing kidney health. In these pages, you’ll find highlights that showcase how our division continues to grow its clinical footprint, push the boundaries of discovery, and train the next generation of leaders in nephrology

I am continually inspired by the accomplishments of our faculty, trainees, staff, and alumni Your collective efforts whether in patient care, research innovation, education, or leadership have shaped a division with a distinguished past and an even more promising future Thank you for the vital roles you play in strengthening our mission and extending our impact well beyond Mount Sinai

We hope this newsletter serves as a meaningful touchpoint for the many alumni who trained here and are now advancing nephrology across academic medicine, community practice, industry, and research worldwide I warmly invite you to stay engaged: share your news, reconnect with colleagues, participate in our programs, and help us build toward our shared goal of a world without kidney disease

As we continue this journey, I also invite you to consider making a gift in support of the clinical, educational, and research missions of the Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology. Philanthropic partnership plays a vital role in enabling innovation, expanding access to care, and training future leaders who will shape the field for decades to come. Then, if you plan to be in Denver, CO later this year, visit us at the Mount Sinai Nephrology Reception annually held during ASN Kidney Week (details to follow during the summertime)

Thank you for being part of our community and for all that you do to advance nephrology

Sincerely,

John Cijiang He, MD, PhD

Irene and Dr Arthur Fishberg Professor of Medicine System Chief, Division of Nephrology Department of Medicine

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Shining a Light on Achievement

A closer look at the individuals and initiatives driving meaningful change

Tonia Kim, MD, MSH '03 - Jeffrey T. Laitman, PhD Award

The Jeffrey T Laitman, PhD Award for Achievement in Medical Education, awarded to an individual who has made major contributions to the field of medical education

Evren U. Azeloglu, PhD, ISMMS '14 - Mount Sinai Graduate School Alumni Award

The Mount Sinai Graduate School Alumni Award, awarded to a scientist who, since graduation from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai, has made significant contributions as a teacher, investigator, and/or practitioner in their field

Recap: 2025 Alumni Awards Ceremony | Icahn Alumni

Tonia Kim, MD - Culman Award

For years, this award has honored Mount Sinai Health System physicians and advanced practice providers who demonstrated exceptional communication in clinical practice

Out of over 128,000+ providers surveyed nationwide, you are one of 123 Mount Sinai providers who ranked in the top 5% nationally (the 95th percentile) in provider communication measured in Press Ganey 2024 patient experience surveys

Mona Calvo, MA, PhD, DFASN Joel D Kopple Award

Dr. Mona Calvo has three decades of research, regulation, and mentorship shaping the future of nephrology and nutrition She has earned the Joel D Kopple Award The Joel D Kopple Award is an annual National Kidney Foundation honor recognizing an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of renal nutrition

Celebrating the 2026 Jacobi Medallion Honorees

Thank you to those who were able to join us at the 2026 Jacobi Medallion Awards Ceremony and Reception held on Wednesday, March 18 at the Plaza Hotel

The Jac Cijiang made ex extraor

Please e Rec Rec Dig Eve

The Division of Nephrology continues to broaden access to expert care across the region, bringing specialized kidney services closer to our communities Mon-Wei (Sam) Yu, MD is now seeing patients at Mount Sinai Doctors–Scarsdale (341 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale, NY), extending our presence in Westchester with personalized, high-quality nephrology care.

Shuchita Sharma, MD (pictured on cover) continues to provide high-quality care at Mount Sinai Doctors-Pelham (116 Fifth Ave, Village of Pelham, NY 10803)

Looking ahead, we ’ re excited to welcome Matthew Abramson, MD, whose clinical focus is onco nephrology, to Mount Sinai Doctors–Forest Hills beginning July 1, 2026 Patients can see Dr Abramson at 99 01 Queens Blvd , Rego Park, NY, strengthening our capabilities in the care of patients with complex cancer related kidney disease

These expansions reflect our commitment to meeting patients where they are geographically and clinically while advancing subspecialty expertise across the Mount Sinai network

Faculty Appointments and Promotions

Expanding World-Class Nephrology Research Faculty

Appointments

Nelly M. Cruz, PhD is an Assistant Research Professor and a member of the Center for Kidney Disease Innovation (CKDi) within the Department of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai She earned her B S in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, her Ph D in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Before joining Mount Sinai, she held research positions at the University of Washington and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dr Cruz’s research centers on developing innovative experimental models such as pluripotent stem cell–derived kidney organoids and kidney microphysiological systems that connect fundamental biology with therapeutic discovery

By replicating key features of human kidney physiology in vitro, she investigates disease mechanisms, evaluates potential therapeutic interventions, and assesses drug toxicity in systems that closely resemble human biology. Her research integrates cell and molecular biology, disease modeling, and systems-level approaches to generate insights that support translational research and the development of new therapies for kidney disease

Promotions

Advancing the Future of Nephrology: Congratulations to Our Promoted Faculty

We are delighted to celebrate promotions in the Division of Nephrology.

Fang Zhong, MD, PhD: Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine on the Research Track effective 03/01/2025

Evren Azeloglu, PhD: Professor with Tenure in the Department of Medicine on the Investigator Track, along with secondary appointment in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences, effective 06/01/2025

Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR: Professor in the Department of Medicine on the Clinician Educator/ Scientist Educator Track, along with secondary appointment in the Department of Medical Education, and membership in Recanati/Miller Transplant Instituteeffective 10/01/2025.

Ilse Daehn, PhD: Professor with Tenure in the Department of Medicine on the Investigator Track effective 03/01/2026

Matthew Abramson, MD: Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine on the Clinical Practice and/or Administrative Leadership Track effective 03/01/2026

Paolo Cravedi, MD, PhD: Professor with Tenure, in the Department of Medicine on the Investigator Track effective 04/01/2026.

Fellows to Faculty

We are excited to celebrate the appointments of our Fellows to Faculty within the Division of Nephrology.

Douglas Farrell, MD: Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine on the Clinician Educator/Scientist Educator Track -ISM/MSH Recanati/Miller Transplant Institute effective 07/01/2025

Marta Dzyadyk, MD: Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery on the Clinical Practice and/or Administrative Leadership Track, along with secondary in the Department of Medicine/Institute of Critical Care Medicine effective 09/01/2025

Celebrating the 3rd Annual Dr. Barbara T. Murphy Lecture

Advancing Discovery in Kidney Disease

Lecture by Rulan S. Parekh, MD, MS, FRCP(C), FASN

On Friday, April 10, 2026, the Division of Nephrology hosted the 3rd Annual Dr Barbara T Murphy Lecture, bringing together faculty, trainees, and alumni for an engaging hour of scholarship and conversation. The lecture was offered both virtually via Zoom and in person at the Hatch Auditorium, Guggenheim Pavilion, creating a shared space for learning and connection Refreshments followed the lecture, extending the discussion beyond the podium

We were honored to welcome Rulan S. Parekh, MD, a distinguished clinician-scientist and internationally recognized leader in kidney disease research

Dr Parekh serves as Vice President of Academics at Women’s College Hospital, is a staff nephrologist at Women’s College Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children, and is Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Toronto Her lecture highlighted groundbreaking work that has reshaped our understanding of genetic risk factors for kidney disease, as well as her current research exploring the role of genetic screening in children and adults in sub Saharan Africa.

An active leader in the nephrology community, Dr Parekh has made lasting contributions through editorial leadership, national and international service, and mentorship of generations of trainees Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including ASN’s Barbara T Murphy Trailblazer Award, making her a particularly fitting speaker for this named lecture.

The annual Dr Barbara T Murphy Lecture continues to celebrate scientific excellence and innovation in nephrology, while honoring the legacy of Dr Barbara T Murphy We thank all who joined us for this inspiring event and look forward to welcoming you to future lectures

Advancing Kidney Health Equity: Insights From Africa

Objectives:

Describe key structural, social, and health system factors contributing to kidney health inequities, drawing on lessons from African clinical and research settings

Apply insights from H3 Africa kidney research to inform kidney prevention, treatment, and policy

Review approaches to advancing inclusion and kidney health equity

11th Annual Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium Highlights

A Day of Insight, Innovation, and Impact

2025 Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium

On Friday, October 17, 2025, alumni and colleagues gathered for the 11th Annual Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium, a one-day, in person conference spotlighting the evolving landscape of home dialysis Led by the Dr Barbara T Murphy Division of Nephrology and organized by the Mount Sinai Continuing Medical Education (CME) Office, the course featured robust collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), IPRO, and the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Course Directors Jaime Uribarri, MD, John C. He, MD, PhD, and Shuchita Sharma, MD curated a dynamic program, with Joseph Vassalotti, MD expertly moderating a day of practical takeaways and forward-looking discussion

Designed for practitioners, researchers, clinician-scientists, and RNs, the symposium delivered timely insights into peritoneal dialysis from preserving peritoneal membrane performance and adequacy testing to navigating nutrition challenges and evaluating urgent-start PD Highlights included a candid roundtable with a dietitian and patients on PD, offering real-world strategies to overcome nutritional hurdles, as well as thoughtful discussions on risks, benefits, and seamless transitions between home modalities

Join us next year! Mark your calendar for the 12th Annual Peritoneal Dialysis Symposium on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Davis Auditorium, 1470 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10029 We look forward to welcoming you back for another day of learning, collaboration, and innovation in PD care

Publications Showcase

Celebrating the research driving innovation and patient care forward

Where Do We Go From Here: The Enduring Harms of Poverty on Transplant Outcomes

Purnell TS, Mohottige D, Boulware LE Transplantation 2026 Jan 28 doi: 10 1097/TP 0000000000005637

The article examines how poverty continues to negatively affect transplant outcomes, contributing to disparities in access, post transplant care, and long term survival It highlights that socioeconomic barrier such as limited healthcare access, unstable housing and financial strain create

Potential

integration of multiple organs-on-a-chip for comprehensive drug-drug interaction prediction

Hsu EW, Wang K, Tsang YP, Himmelfarb J, Yeung CK, Kelly EJ Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2026 Feb 17 doi: 10 1080/17425255 2026 2633283

The article reviews how multi organ on a chip (MOC) platforms can improve the prediction of drug drug interactions by providing more physiologically relevant data than traditional in vitro or in silico models. It tli t DDI t

Genemodification:Exploring thepotentialintreating kidneydiseases

Ekperikpe US, Zhao S, Daehn IS Pharmacol Res. 2026 Feb;224:108104. doi: 10 1016/j phrs 2026 108104 Epub 2026 Jan 17

The article reviews how advances in genetics and gene editing technologies are opening new possibilities for treating chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition for which current therapies only slow progression rather than cure It outlines mechanisms of diti t l d li t t i

Personalized Fluid Management in Patients With Sepsis and Acute Kidney Injury: A Casual Machine Learning Approach

Oh W, Takkavatakarn K, Al-Taie Z, Kittrell H, Shawwa K, Gomez H, Sawant AS, Tandon P, Kumar G, Sterling M, Hofer I, Chan L, Oropello J, Kohli-Seth R, Charney AW, Kraft M, Kovatch P, Suárez-Fariñas M, Kellum JA, Nadkarni GN, Sakhuja A Crit Care Explor 2025 Dec 3;7(12):e1354 doi: 10 1097/CCE 0000000000001354 eCollection 2025 Dec

This new study highlights how advanced machine learning tools may help doctors tailor fluid treatment for patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after sepsis Researchers created a causal machine‑learning model that can identify which patients are likely to benefit from a more restrictive fluid approach defined as less than 500 mL in the first 24 hours after AKI When tested in real world ICU data, the model successfully pinpointed patients who experienced faster kidney recovery, more sustained improvement, and fewer major kidney complications when given limited fluids These findings show how AI‑driven insights could support personalized care decisions and improve outcomes for critically ill patients The authors note that this approach is promising and should be evaluated in future clinical trials

Advancing Health Equity in Kidney Disease through Sustainable Policy and Community Partnership: Patient Perspectives and Research Realities

Roberts GV. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2025 Dec 1;20(12):1647-1648 doi: 10 2215/CJN 0000000929 Epub 2025 Nov 13

The commentary highlights persistent gaps in culturally relevant dietary guidance and long term support for African Americans with chronic kidney disease, echoing themes from Dodgen et al ’s study on fruit and vegetable promotion. Drawing from personal experience, the author illustrates how vague nutritional advice and structural barriers undermine patients’ ability to sustain kidney healthy diets The piece calls for durable policy solutions including expanded food assistance, funded community health workers, integrated nutrition support, and improved access to ensure that effective dietary interventions can be maintained beyond short term studies

Three People With Recurrent Nephrolithiasis and Heterozygous ABCC6 Mutations

Farrell D, Uribarri J, Pitman TR, Lebwohl M, Rein JL. Kidney Med 2026 Apr;8(4):101271 doi: 10 1016/j xkme 2026 101271

This recent open access study by members of our faculty describes three patients with recurrent kidney stones who were found to carry single copy mutations in the ABCC6 gene, identifying a potential genetic risk factor that may be overlooked in routine clinical evaluation. These mutations may reduce levels of pyrophosphate, a natural substance that helps prevent calcium stone formation Importantly, the patients had few traditional risk factors, highlighting the growing role of genetics in understanding recurrent nephrolithiasis This work supports broader consideration of genetic testing and points to future opportunities for improved diagnosis and targeted therapies.

Latest Research & Publications

Our division continues to advance impactful research across clinical care, education, and scientific discovery

From original research to collaborative projects, these publications highlight the strength and dedication of our faculty, trainees, and staff

Our curated list will be refreshed regularly as new work becomes available Click here to view the full publications folder

Inside the Fellowship

Developing the Next Generation of Nephrologists

Current Fellows

Our current and incoming fellows represent a diverse group of trainees engaged in clinical excellence, research, and education

2026 Graduated Fellows

Noor Shahin, MD - Clinical Practice, Home Dialysis, NJ

Melissa Notis, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Transplant Nephrology, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY

Beatriz Zayas-Godoy, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Transplant Nephrology, Temple University, PA

Pujitha Sonti, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, NY

Justina Ray, MD - Instructor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA

Kishan Rao, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, TBA

Lucas Schmitz, MD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, TBA

Special Training Fellows

Priyal Sakhuja, DO - Critical Care Fellow, ISMMS

Hariharasudan Natarajan, MD - RMTI Transplant Nephrology Fellow, ISMMS

Dharni Patel, MD - RMTI Transplant Nephrology Fellow, ISMMS

Madhumitha Rajagopal, MD - 4 Year Research Fellow ‘27 th

AY 2026-27 Second-Year Fellows

Richa Chhaya, MD

Conrad Chrabol, MD

Evan Finger, DO

Aiswarya Menon, MBBS

Aleena Nasr, DO

Nosagie Ohonba, MBBS

Jeanette Sanchez-Trinidad, MD

AY 2026-27 First-Year Fellows

Hachem Araji, MD

Mounika Kandalam, MD

Mir Sulayman, MD

Noah Markewitz, MD

Kevin Pak, MD

Natalie Plick, MD

Kevin Zhang, MD

Outgoing Chief Fellows Spotlight

Thank you to our Chief Fellows: Your commitment to learning, growth, and exceptional patient care truly embodies the spirit of our program. NoorShahin,MD

Kishan Rao, MD

2025-’26 Chief Home Dialysis Fellow Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center

Announcing Our AY 2026–2027 Chief Fellows

2025-’26 Chief Second-Year Residency: NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine

We are proud to announce the newly selected chief fellows who will serve for the 2026–27 academic year

Richa Chhaya, MD

026-’27 Chief Fellow esidency: ount Sinai Medical Center

HariharasudanNatarajan,MD

2026-’27 Chief Fellow Residency: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR as New Program Director of Nephrology Fellowship

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Samira Farouk, MD, MSCR, a national leader in medical education within the nephrology community, as Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Program in the Dr Barbara T Murphy Division of Nephrology Dr Farouk's goal will be to ensure the success of our Nephrology Fellows and further optimize the program. Dr. Farouk completed an Internal Medicine residency program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she also completed a Nephrology Fellowship, Transplant Nephrology Fellowship, and served as Chief Nephrology Fellow Subsequently, she was recruited to join the full-time faculty in July 2018 and has made important accomplishments ever since.

Alumni Corner: Samira Farouk, MD,MSCR

From fellow to faculty leader this Class of 2018 alumna now serves as Fellowship Program Director and Professor in our division We asked her to reflect on her journey, the mentors who influenced her, and her vision for the fellowship moving forward

Q: Were there any pivotal moments during your time as a fellow that influenced your path to leadership?

A: During my fellowship, I worked closely with faculty who modeled not only clinical excellence but also a deep commitment to education and mentorship Dr Barbara Murphy’s guidance and unwavering support of a clinician educator career were especially pivotal These experiences, along with opportunities to work with junior trainees, sparked my interest in academic leadership.

Q: How has being a former fellow shaped the way you approach directing the program?

A: My experience as a nephrology fellow gives me firsthand insight into the program’s strengths and the evolving challenges fellows face I aim to lead with empathy and intentionality preserving what makes our training strong while continuously working to enhance the fellow experience.

Q: What is your vision for the program’s future, and how do you hope alumni will be part of it?

A: My vision is to continue growing a program that trains outstanding nephrologists and future leaders in clinical care, research, and education I hope to strengthen alumni connections through mentorship, collaboration, and engagement whether through teaching, career guidance, shared initiatives, or reconnecting at annual nephrology meetings

Q: What keeps you motivated in your work today?

A: I’m most motivated by supporting our fellows on their individual journeys and watching them develop confidence, expertise, and their own professional identities The evolving challenges in nephrology, medical education, and patient care also inspire me to continually improve our systems, education, and outcomes

#SinaiStrong

Stay Connected

Our alumni continue to make an incredible impact across the field, and we love celebrating your achievements.

We invite you to complete a brief form to update your contact information and share any career highlights, publications, personal milestones, or reflections from your residency journey With your permission, we may feature your story in an upcoming alumni newsletter or program communication

�� Share your updates here

NephrologyDivision@mssm edu

Phone: 212-241-8004

Fax: 212-987-0389

mountsinai org/care/nephrology

This award honors a fellow who stood out for their: clinical excellence, professionalism, teamwork/collaboration, teaching, and/or leadership within our nephrology program during the quarter

Q3 G.G.O.A.T

During the first quarter, the nephrology fellowship program celebrated the launch of the G.G.O.A.T. of the Quarter award, an initiative designed to recognize fellows whose contributions meaningfully shape the clinical, educational, and professional culture of the program

This honor acknowledges excellence across multiple domains, including patient care, professionalism, teamwork, teaching, and leadership

The program proudly congratulates the Q1 G.G.O.A.T. recipient, Dr. Noor Shahin

Colleagues highlighted Dr. Shahin’s leadership, approachability, and commitment to education, noting his consistent support of learners, staff, and patients, as well as his positive and steady presence within the clinical environment

The nephrology fellowship program continued its quarterly recognition of excellence during the second quarter, with strong peer participation in nominations for the G.G.O.A.T. of the Quarter award The number and quality of nominations reflected the ongoing dedication and professionalism demonstrated across the fellowship.

The G G O A T award recognizes fellows who exemplify high standards in clinical performance, collaboration, teaching, and leadership over the course of the quarter

Congratulations to the Q2 G.G.O.A.T. recipient, Dr. Evan Finger

Feedback from peers emphasized Dr Finger’s reliability, efficiency, and collegiality, with specific recognition of his positive attitude, responsiveness, and effectiveness as a collaborative team member.

As the nephrology fellowship program approached the final quarter of the academic year, continued excellence and engagement were reflected in the strong peer participation for the G.G.O.A.T. of the Quarter award

The ongoing nominations underscore the consistent dedication, teamwork, and patient-centered care demonstrated throughout the program.

The G G O A T award recognizes a fellow who has made a meaningful impact through clinical excellence, professionalism, collaboration, teaching, and leadership during the preceding quarter.

The program is pleased to announce the Q3 G.G.O.A.T. recipient, Dr. Dharni Patel

Colleagues commended Dr Patel for her unwavering advocacy on behalf of patients, highlighting her commitment to addressing both individual needs and broader systems-based challenges, as well as her outstanding bedside manner and compassionate approach to care

Our Community, Our Future

Our strength lies in our people past, present, and future. We thank our faculty, fellows, trainees, alumni, and supporters for all they do to advance our mission and support the next generation of nephrology leaders.

Make A Gift!

Philanthropic support is vital to advancing the Division of Nephrology at Mount Sinai, enabling our physicians and researchers to deliver exceptional patient care, drive innovation, and train the next generation of leaders in kidney medicine Gifts of any size can make a meaningful impact, whether supporting clinical programs, pioneering research, patient education, or fellowships for emerging specialists Contributions can be made through a variety of vehicles, including online giving at giving.mountsinai.org, checks, donor-advised funds, stock transfers, or planned gifts. If you are interested in learning more about how your support can align with your philanthropic goals and make a lasting difference, we welcome the opportunity to connect

For more information, please contact:

Bryce Shaffer

Associate Director of Development

929-637-3399

bryce shaffer@mountsinai org

Through philanthropy, we are able to train future leaders, advance research, and offer exceptional care to all those we serve With your help, our possibilities grow every day

To contribute to our mission, Give to Mount Sinai.