Centre for Kidney Disease Research

The Centre for Kidney Disease Research (CKDR) is one of Australia's leading kidney disease research centres with an international reputation for excellence in research.

The researchers of the CKDR are working at the forefront of global trends in research to trial new clinical treatments and to understand the cellular and molecular basis of kidney disease. The CKDR has particular expertise in translating results from laboratory and clinical sciences for application to improve public health outcomes. Its two main pillars are the Australasian Kidney Trials Network (AKTN) and the CKDR translational research laboratory.

Our purpose

To conduct high quality bench-to-bedside research that makes a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of all people living with kidney disease.

Our vision

High quality, affordable kidney care for all people.

Our values

Person-centred Impact
Collaboration without borders
Consumer partnership
Excellence
Scientific rigour with pragmatism
Equity
Sustainability
Ethical responsibility
Affordability
Innovation with purpose
Continuous learning and improvement
Transparency and open science
Investigator empowerment

The Australasian Kidney Trials Network (ATKN) is a not-for-profit, international collaborative research organisation that designs, conducts and supports large scale, pragmatic, high quality, innovative investigator-initiated randomised controlled clinical trials with the aim of improving life for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

It is based at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia, and consists of hundreds of nephrologists and other doctors, patient partners, researchers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, scientists and other health professionals from over 100 centres in 20 different countries working together.

Founded in 2005 following its endorsement by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology and Kidney Health Australia, it has established consumer partnership at all stages, developed cheaper, smarter and faster trial methodologies, developed innovative technologies (such as registry-based and adaptive trials), secured over $75 million in competitive research funding, published over 1200 peer-reviewed original research articles which have been cited by over 30,000 documents in 160 countries, and completed 12 high-impact trials with another 7 trials currently underway and 2 in development.

Learn more about the AKTN.

The CKDR Translational Research Laboratories, located within the Translational Research Institute (TRI), conduct high quality basic science research into the pathological mechanisms of a wide range of kidney diseases, with the overarching aim of identifying new targets and therapeutic treatments.

To support its research, the CKDR has one of the world's best-equipped laboratories, with a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment for assessing the molecular, pathological and biological basis of kidney disease. The laboratories also support clinicians by offering them a facility to accurately investigate the most pressing of kidney health problems with conditions such as kidney failure and cancer.

Basic science research:

The role of proteases and protease activated receptors (PARs) in progressive kidney scarring, inflammation and failure using a variety of human kidney cell culture models including use of primary kidney cells
Molecular pathways in age-associated chronic kidney pathologies
Mechanisms and therapeutic manipulation of kidney cell carcinoma
Targeting apoptotic pathways for treatment of kidney cell carcinoma
Mitochondrial dynamics in the senescing kidney
Biomarkers of chronic kidney disease and kidney cancer

Executive Operations

Professor David Johnson (Chair)
Professor Rathika Krishnasamy (Deputy Chair)
Professor Yeoungjee Cho (Deputy Chair)
Associate Professor Michael Collins (Scientific Committee Chair)
Professor Nigel Toussaint (Scientific Committee Deputy Chair)
Laura Hickey (Clinical Operations Manager)
Charani Kiriwandeniya (Lead Clinical Data Manager)
Puspharaj Velayudham (Clinical Project Manager)
Gabor Mihala (Biostatistician)

Senior Statistical Advisor

Professor Andrew Martin

Operations Staff

Laura Hickey (Clinical Operations Manager)
Charani Kiriwandeniya (Lead Clinical Data Manager)
Puspharaj Velayudham (Clinical Project Manager)
Peta-Anne Paul-Brent (Clinical Project Manager)
Misa Matsuyama (Clinical Research Associate)
Aparna Shenoy (Clinical Research Associate)
Lisan Mulvey (Clinical Research Associate)
Andreea Zaharia (Clinical Research Associate)
Sandy Kang (Database Developer)
Thai Ha Pham (Clinical Research Associate)
Martin Hajek (Clinical Data Manager)
Liza Vergara (Clinical Data Manager)
Gabor Mihala (Biostatistician)
Maryam Delshad (Clinical Trial Assistant)
Teresa Mammone (Clinical Trial Assistant)
Hayley Candler (Consumer Engagement Coordinator)

Scientific Committee

Associate Professor Michael Collins (Chair)
Professor Nigel Toussaint (Deputy Chair)
Professor Matthew Roberts
Professor David Johnson
Professor Kevan Polkinghorne
Associate Professor Armando Teixeira-Pinto
Dr Simon Carter
Dr Jessica Dawson
Professor Rathika Krishnasamy
Professor Yeoungjee Cho
Professor Kirsten Howard
Professor Jonathan Craig
Dr Jenny Chen
Maddie Rapipsardi
Natalie Brown
Dr Nick Larkins
Professor Phillip Clayton
Dr Benjamin Lazarus
Professor Nigel Toussiant
Dr Tracey Putt
Dr Kannaiyan Rabindranath
Dr Anna Francis
Professor Andrew Mallett
Associate Professor Andrea Viecelli
Associate Professor Rachael Walker

Clinical Trialists

Associate Professor Andrea Viecelli
Dr Benjamin Lazarus
Dr Dev Jegatheesan

PhD students

Dr Ryan Gately
Dr Katharine Hegerty
Dr Cameron Burnett
Dr Isabel Scalia
Dr Anushree Tiku
Dr Ashik Hayat
Dr Benignus Logan
Dr Bhadran Bose
Dr Kitty St Pierre
Ms Mary-Ann Nidao

Peritoneal Dialysis Working Group

Dr Jenny Chen (Chair)
Associate Professor Rachael Walker
Dr Cameron Burnett
Professor Yeoungjee Cho
Professor David Johnson
Ms Jo-Anne Moodie
Dr Katrina Chau
Dr Walaa Saweirs
Claire Trimmingham
Ms Mary-Ann Nicdao
Dr Jenny Chen
Mr Brett Tarca

Haemodialysis Working Group

Associate Professor Andrea Viecelli (Co-Chair)
Professor Nigel Toussaint (Co-Chair)
Professor Kevan Polkinghorne
Dr Ginger Chu
Dr Benjamin Lazarus
Professor Matthew Roberts
Professor Meg Jardine
Professor Rathika Krishnasamy
Dr Jess Dawson
Dr Adam Mullan
Associate Professor Sradha Kotwal
Professor Shilpa Shilpanjali Jesudason
Dr Nasir Shah

Transplant Working Group

Associate Professor Michael Collins (Chair)
Professor Phillip Clayton
Dr Rose Masterson
Associate Professor Armando Teixeira-Pinto
Professor Angela Webster
Professor Germaine Wong
Dr Nick Cross
Dr Carla Scuderi
Dr Ryan Gately
Dr Rowena Lalji
Dr Stephanie Kuo
Dr Maguerite Conley

Chronic Kidney Disease and Glomerulonephritis Working Group

Professor Andrew Mallett (Chair)
Dr Helen McLaughlin (Co-Deputy Chair)
Dr Anna Francis (Co-Deputy Chair)
Associate Professor Kamal Sud
Dr Alice Kennard
Dr Walaa Saweirs
Dr Jennifer Yo
Associate Professor Monica Ng
Professor Jaquelyne Hughes
Dr Limy Wong
Dr Jeffrey Ha
Dr Daniel O'Hara
Dr Eoin O'Sullivan
Professor David Johnson
Dr Jessica Ryan
Dr Tze Goh
Dr Edmund Chung
Dr Kate Robson
Dr Irene Ruderman

Methodology Working Group

Professor Phillip Clayton
Dr Magid Fahim
Dr Martin Howell
Associate Professor Michael Collins
Professor Jason Pole
Professor Ingrid Hickman
Dr Dharmenaan Palamuthusingam

Consumer Advisory Board

Mr Allan Blackley
Ms Irene Mewburn
Ms Janet Bailey
Mr Alex Billett
Ms Natalie Brown
Ms Janelle Colquhoun
Ms Helen Coolican
Ms Trudi Fuge
Mr Phil Greenhalgh
Ms Amy Luchterhand
Ms Kymberly Radivojevic
Ms Mardi Thompson
Ms Amber Williamson

CKDR Translational Research laboratories

Associate Professor David Vesey (Co-Lead)
Professor David Johnson (Co-Lead)
Associate Professor Glenda Gobe
Dr Tyrone Humphries
Associate Professor Simon Wood
Associate Professor Ross Francis
Dr Robert Ellis

The CKDR is keen to take on enthusiastic postgraduate students for honours, masters, and doctoral studies in the following key research areas:

The CKDR provides opportunities for graduates to develop a variety of skill sets for their future careers in the field of research. The CKDR also opens up opportunities for students to travel to present their work at international conferences.

Funding Considerations & Scholarship Opportunities

Students accepted into the postgraduate program may receive initial support for their work from the CKDR. However, prospective students should be advised that all CKDR PhD students are required to apply for funding from external scholarships.

Entry Requirements

The CKDR is part of UQ's Frazer Institute. Therefore, postgraduate students must fulfil standard UQ entry requirements.

Entry requirements for prospective Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy students can be found online on the UQ website.

Steps for kickstarting your postgraduate studies at CKDR

Students interested in undertaking postgraduate studies should follow these steps:
1.   Decide on your area of study interest - refer to our research section above
2.   Complete the Expression of Interest form and email it to us along with your CV and academic record
3.   One of CKDR's senior researchers will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your interest in more detail

Remember, enthusiasm, dedication and drive are essential prerequisites for study at the CKDR.