Benjamin D. Humphreys, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and Chief, Division of Nephrology, will be installed as the Joseph Friedman Professor of Renal Diseases in Medicine, Monday, September 11, 2017.
Victoria Fraser, MD
Dr. Humphreys is a clinician and nationally recognized investigator in kidney fibrosis, stem cells and regenerative medicine. The focus of his research is the development of stem cell-based treatments of kidney disease and examining the mechanisms of kidney repair and recovery after injury. Using cutting-edge techniques in gene editing, single cell RNA-sequencing, and human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids, the Humphreys’ laboratory creates unique models of kidney disease in which to study different therapeutic approaches.
Humphreys came to Washington University in July 2015 when he accepted the position as director of the Division of Nephrology. He was previously an Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and Director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute Kidney Group and Director of the Laboratory of Translational Research in Kidney Repair.
David H. Perlmutter, MD, with graduate research assistant Dolonchampa Maji. Photo: Tim Parker. First published in Washington University Outlook magazine.
The endowment installation ceremony will begin with welcoming remarks by Dr. David H. Perlmutter, Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean of Washington University School of Medicine and an introduction by Dr. Victoria J. Fraser, Adolphus Busch Professor of Medicine and Chairman, John Milliken Department of Medicine.
Dr. Humphreys will present a lecture titled Kidney Disease: Toward Personalized Therapies. He says, “The future of personalized therapies for patients suffering from kidney disease is bright, due to remarkable advances in basic and translational science as well as novel computational approaches.”
The Joseph Friedman Professorship in Renal Diseases in Medicine was established in 1986 in honor of, and through the generous gifts of, Joseph Friedman and his company Chromalloy American Corporation. Mr. Friedman took an interest in the early years of work in renal disease and dialysis at Washington University. Mr. Friedman and his company subsequently provided funds for establishment of the Chromalloy Kidney Center in 1976. (See here for more information on Mr. Friedman.)
Eduardo Slatopolsky
Dr. Humphreys is the third person to be endowed with The Joseph Friedman Professorship in Renal Diseases in Medicine. It was initially held by previous director of the division Saulo Klahr, MD, and then in 1991 by now Professor Emeritus Eduardo Slatopolsky, MD.
“I am honored to hold this chair and to continue the work of our team in bringing new therapies to all patients suffering from kidney disease,” says Humphreys.
The event will take place Monday, September 11, 2017, in the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Seminar Room B, 4:30 p.m.