WashU Nephrology Fellowship Graduate Muhammad Yasir Baloch Joins Our Faculty

We are proud to welcome Muhammad Yasir Baloch, MD, as Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at Washington University, effective July 1, 2025.  A 2025 graduate of our Nephrology Fellowship Program, Dr. Baloch will also serve as Director of Fellowship Outreach and Recruitment.

Dr. Baloch earned his medical degree from Bolan Medical College in Pakistan, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Florida State University’s Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and served as Chief Fellow during his nephrology fellowship here at WashU. 

During the past two years, Dr. Baloch rapidly distinguished himself as a rising leader within our division.  He became a clinical educator in the WashU Teaching Physician Pathway (WUTPP) mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows across both inpatient and outpatient settings. His strategic use of digital platforms earned him the 2024 Social Media Accomplishment Award from the Nephrology Business Leadership University (NBLU).  This national program brings together nephrology professionals to prepare senior fellows for the economics and business aspects of their future careers in nephrology.  Recognizing his social media expertise, NBLU invited Baloch to serve as a facilitator to help guide the next cohort of fellows in navigating the future of nephrology.  “The NBLU is one of the best conferences to attend during your fellowship,” he says, enthusiastically encouraging future applicants – as he does in this video produced by NBLU.

Baloch, who has a background in photography and videography, spearheaded the expansion of our division’s social media presence by launching our Instagram account, @WashUNephrology, in 2024.  He also took the lead as creative director in heading the project to produce an engaging, fellow-led, fellow-centered training program video.  Leading and filming the fellowship recruitment video was a truly memorable experience for Baloch.  “Visiting the helipad with the division felt like a fun school field trip, with everyone super excited!”  (See the video below.)

Before coming to St. Louis, Baloch was the filmmaker for an internal medicine residency recruitment video during his residency at Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and was recognized for his outstanding service and contribution during his graduation in 2021.  In addition, he previously worked with National Geographic photographer Matthieu Paley for an assignment documenting the annual Hindu pilgrimage at Nani Mandir Lasbela, Pakistan.   Travelling on foot for more than 75 miles over a period of four days, Yasir helped Paley with the logistics of the journey as well as the aerial photography using his drone.  See the spectacular documentation of the Hindu pilgrimage here.

As a dedicated nephrology advocate, Baloch’s passion lies in cardiorenal nephrology and promoting health equity.  He has presented original research at the National Kidney Foundation 2025 Spring Clinical Meetings and at ASN Kidney Week 2024 and secured a chapter in the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics (in press).

Baloch is also passionate about the use Artificial Intelligence in everyday kidney care, a topic he explored in a recent Renal Grand Rounds presentation and integrated into his work with the WUTPP.  He is currently collaborating with AI experts at the Mayo Clinic on the article “Integrating AI-Based Biomarkers Into Diabetic Kidney Disease Care: Evidence From the KidneyIntelX Precision Program,” which has been accepted for publication in an upcoming Kidney News.” The KidneyIntelX Program is a cutting-edge initiative designed to improve early detection and personalized care for patients with diabetic kidney disease, especially those in the early stages who are often underdiagnosed and undertreated.

In his free time, Baloch is out capturing life’s moments through his camera lens – always up for a spontaneous road trip, a scenic train ride, or a weekend hike. He is a bicycling enthusiast, a true foodie, a tech-savvy social media buff, and he adores his Scottish Shorthair cat, Badal, whom he co-parents with his sister.