We are delighted to announce the promotions of the following faculty, effective July 1, 2025. These well-earned achievements reflect their dedication, groundbreaking research and exceptional contributions to nephrology and to our division.
Leslie Gewin, MD, has been promoted to Professor of Medicine on the Investigator Track.
A distinguished physician-scientist, Dr. Gewin is recognized for her research on kidney tubular injury and fibrosis, with an emphasis on proximal tubule responses to injury and how these responses affect fibrosis and chronic kidney disease progression. Her work is supported by both NIH and VA funding, including a recently renewed VA Merit Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Clinically, Gewin devotes time to caring for patients in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) clinic and providing nephrology consults at VA St. Louis Health Care System. She also plays a key leadership role in the newly established Washington University Kidney O’Brien Center for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Research, where she directs the Metabolism Core – an initiative focused on advancing CKD-related research through the application of metabolic assays.
In addition to her clinical and research contributions, Gewin serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation where she leads the Tinsley Harrison Scholars Program, which supports the professional development of early-stage physician-scientists. She also serves as Associate Editor of Kidney360 and Co-chair of the American Society of Nephrology Grants Review Committee.
Follow @LeslieGewin on X and visit the Gewin Lab to learn more about her research.
Andreas Herrlich, MD, PhD, has been promoted to Professor of Medicine on the Investigator Track.
A physician-scientist with a strong commitment to translational research, Dr. Herrlich is internationally recognized for his work on kidney injury, fibrosis, and interorgan communication. His lab investigates how signals from the injured kidney affect distant organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain – work that has led to significant insights into the systemic impact of kidney disease.
Dr. Herrlich, Director of Translational Medicine at WashU Nephrology, was recently appointed to the editorial board of Comprehensive Physiology, a newly launched peer-reviewed scientific journal published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the American Physiological Society. The journal centers on interorgan communication.
In recognition of his expertise in both interorgan communication and translational research, the German Science and Humanities Council of the German Government recently invited Herrlich to serve as a scientific advisor in a national review process for prioritizing large-scale research infrastructures projects in Germany.
Herrlich has also contributed to international scientific education by organizing three major EMBO-FEBS lecture courses: Molecular Mechanisms of Tissue Injury, Repair, and Fibrosis in 2019, and Molecular Mechanisms of Interorgan Crosstalk in Health and Disease in 2022 and 2024. The events were held on the scenic Greek island of Spetses, bringing together experts for in-depth scientific exchange in a unique, inspiring setting. He was also co-organizer of the symposium “Molecular Mechanisms of Organismal Physiology in Health and Disease,” held in 2023 in St Louis.
Keep up with the latest from the @HerrlichLab on X and explore more on the Herrlich Lab website.
Charbel C. Khoury, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Medicine on the Clinician–Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Track.
A nephrologist with board certifications in Nephrology, Nutrition Support, and Obesity Medicine, Dr. Khoury’s work bridges kidney disease, metabolism, and nutrition—bringing holistic, evidence-based care to patients with complex needs.
At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, he is an active member of the Clinical Nutrition Committee, bringing the nephrologist’s perspective to the nutrition interventions, hospital-wide protocols, and quality measures. Nationally he participated in the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)’s Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) Consortium, contributing to clinical and educational tools that improve DKD management.
Since joining WashU in 2018, Dr. Khoury has led transformative initiatives as the Division of Nephrology’s Patient Safety and Quality Officer. He directed the integration of Epic EMR across all WashU dialysis units. He also serves as Medical Director of the Forest Park Kidney Center and the Nephrology Ambulatory (CKD) Clinic, where he has guided staff to optimize workflows and ensure high standards of care.
A committed educator, he was honored with the Nathan Hellman Memorial Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of his mentorship and dedication to patient-centered training. He also serves on the WUSM Committee of Admissions and the Committee on Student Financial Aid (COSFA).
Dr. Khoury’s promotion recognizes his commitment to advancing patient care, safety, and education in our division.
Follow @Charbel_Khoury on X.
