News, activities & Accolades
Congratulations to our Nephrology Fellow Graduates!
Chief Fellow 2025-26
Nephrology Chief Fellow 2025-26
Fellow Breakfast Huddle
2025 Fellowship Retreat
Nephrology fellows and the fellowship team gathered at the South Campus Center.
The day included a mindfulness session with IMA staff, team-building activities, financial management training, and reflection and feedback on our training program. Following the retreat, fellows bonded over mini golf and games at Flatstick Pub (SLU).
Announcing Our Incoming Class of Fellows
AY 2025-26
Drs. Erin Biringen, Hanna Larson, Heba Maraei, Jessica Todsen, and William Qin
Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Chiao on her UW Medicine Cares Award nomination!
The UW Medicine Cares Award formally recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of individuals and teams who consistently exemplify the UW Medicine Service Culture Guidelines.
Nominees go above and beyond to support other members of the UW Medicine community, both patients and colleagues.
Team Building
Dr. Simon Hsu organized a team-building activity at a Seattle-themed Puzzle Break Room, with participants, Drs. Anna Zemke, Kate Butler, and Sarah Haeger. They had a great time solving the puzzle and then enjoyed dinner at the Victor Tavern in South Lake Union.
Home Dialysis Academy of Excellence
Our Chief Fellow, Dr. Gaoyuan Huang, attended the Home Dialysis Academy of Excellence in CA. Besides the fantastic education at the Academy, she also enjoyed dinner with Stanford and UCLA attendees and sang karaoke with them!
Origins of Renal Physiology Course
Dr. Mahlet Assefa and Dr. Cassandra Chiao shared photos from Bar Harbor, Maine, where they attended the Origins of Renal Physiology Course at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.
New Fellows Orientation and Tutorials
New Fellows Welcome Party
Chief Fellow 2024-25
Nephrology Chief Fellow 2024-25
Graduating Fellows
Congratulations to our Fellowship Graduates, class of 2024!
South Lake Union Fellow Boat Ride
The electric boat ride is an annual event and a highlight for the fellows as they close the academic year and celebrate graduation.
Fellow end-of-year breakfast huddle
Fellow Scholarly Project video
Incoming Fellows
Welcome to our AY 2024-25 Incoming Fellows
Drs. Ayodale Braimah, Josh Earl, Sarah Haeger, Lily Jeong, and Bang Zheng
Hyponatremia Medical Escape Room
Interactive Learning!
UW Internal Medicine residents participated in a Hyponatremia Medical "Escape Room" at Harborview Medical Center.
Thank you to Dr. Lauren Haggerty and Dr. Nayan Arora for crafting another exciting hands-on learning experience. Moderators included Dr. Justin Bullock, Dr. Cassandra Chiao, and Dr. Anna Zemke.
Dr. Lidgard has joined the 2024 cohort of scholars for the ITHS KL2 Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program.
Fellowship Retreat 2024
Fellows and program leadership gathered at the UW South Campus Center Crow’s Nest for a day of fellowship and fun, focused on improving interpersonal relationships, communication, and self-advocacy skills. Following the retreat, fellows bonded over mini golf and games at Flatstick Pub.
Dr. Justin Bullock
Nephrology research fellow
Dr. Bullock has been selected as the new co-director of Docs with Disabilities Initiative, joining the 2024-26 leadership team. Docs with Disabilities Initiative is a leader in disability inclusion in health professions training globally.
Dr. Justin Bullock discusses ableism in medical education
Career Mentorship Dinner
Fellows mingled with UW Nephrology fellow alums and community doctors to learn about career paths and opportunities in the greater Seattle community.
Team Building
Fellows and fellowship leadership gathered for a night of ceramic wheel throwing and sculpting pottery at the Seattle Artist League.
Acid-Base Escape Room
UW Internal Medicine residents put their nephrology knowledge and skills to the test in an acid-base Medical "Escape Room" at Harborview Medical Center!
Fellows visit the new Pat Fleet Dialysis Unit
Incoming Fellows
Welcome to our 2023-24 Incoming Nephrology Fellows!
Drs. Megan Griffin, Mahlet Assafa, Casandra Chiao, Gaoyuan Huang, Manuel Rovira, and Liz Kiernan [not pictured: Transplant Fellow Takayuki Yamada]
Fellowship Program Leadership
We look forward to a fantastic new academic year in 2023-24!
Fellow Graduates
Congratulations to our 2023 Nephrology Fellow Graduates!
Drs. Lauren Ring, Michelle Pengshung, Neha Deval. Eric Luitweiler, and Karen de Wolski [not pictured: Transplant Fellow, Dr. Danyi Zheng and Peckham Fellow, Dr. Amol Patel]
Dr. Lauren Haggerty, Nephrology Chief Fellow 2023-24
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Lauren Haggerty has accepted the position of Nephrology Chief Fellow for the academic year (2023 - 2024)! Her colleagues elected her to the position. Congratulations!
Fellows Welcome Party 2022
Summer fun at Dr. Mehrotra's home! Our annual Fellows Welcome Party took place on a beautiful Seattle day. We are ready for the new academic year, with great things on the horizon.
2022 Ben J. Lipps Research Fellows
Award recipients, Drs. Ben Lidgard and Michael Granda.
The Ben J. Lipps Research Fellowship Program supports nephrology fellows who will advance the understanding of kidney biology and disease.
Dr. Lauren Ring, Nephrology Chief Fellow 2022-23
We are pleased to announce that Lauren Ring has accepted the position of Nephrology Chief Fellow for the upcoming academic year (2022-23). Her colleagues elected her to the position. Congratulations!
2022-23 Incoming Fellows
2022-23 Incoming Fellows
Welcome to the incoming cohort of nephrology fellows! We are excited to have you join our team.
Research News
Dr. Michelle Pengshung research in CJASN
Dr. Michelle Pengshung is lead author of "Arterial Stiffness is Independently Associated with Acute Kidney Injury in SPRINT" in CJASN, Clinical Journal of American Society of Nephrology.
Dr. Jasleen Ghuman research in the Journal of Cardiac Failure
Dr. Jasleen Ghuman is lead author of “Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction” in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.
Dr. Christine Limonte Awarded 2021-22 American Kidney Fund Clinical Scientist in Nephrology Fellow
The award, funded with generous support from Akebia Therapeutics, will begin on July 1, 2021. Congratulations! Your selection is a tribute to you, your mentorship team and your institution.
American Kidney Fund Clinical Scientist in Nephrology Fellow
Dr. Simon Hsu - 2019 UWHA Grant Award Winner
Research paper "Impaired Vitamin D Catabolism as a Therapeutic Target in Chronic Kidney Disease"
Events
2024 Fellow Graduation
Congratulations to our awesome 2024 Nephrology graduates, Dr. Justin Bullock, Dr. Amruta Nair, Dr. Anna Zemke, Dr. Lauren Haggerty, Dr. Jae Kim, and Transplant Fellow grad, Dr. Taka Yamada.
2023 Fellow Graduation
Congrats to our outstanding Nephrology graduates, Dr. Eric Luitweiler, Dr. Karen de Wolski, Dr. Lauren Ring, Dr. Michelle Pengshung, Dr. Neha Deval, Transplant Fellow Dr. Danyi Zheng, and Peckham Home Dialysis Fellow, Dr. Amol Patel.
2022 Fellow Graduation
Congratulations to Transplant Nephrology Fellow Dr. Ben Boonpheng, and Nephrology Fellows Drs. Jasleen Ghuman, Alex Hawkins, Laura Mayeda, Amol Patel, and Frances Tian.
2021 Fellow Graduation
Congratulations to our graduating fellows, Drs. Rasha Alawieh, Paris Barkan, Sandra Carias Zuniga, Mike Granda, Ben Lidgard, Roddy MacDonald, and Ryan Wong.
Fellowship Retreat 2021
Our annual retreats give fellows and core faculty the opportunity for fun and informal teambuilding and educational experiences. While retreats are typically held in person, this year's retreat was a virtual event.
Nephrology Graduation Through the Years
Take a look at our nephrology fellowship graduating classes from the recent past.