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Participating in this program was a truly transformative experience in my journey as a nephrology researcher. As a postdoctoral fellow with a background in nanotechnology and medical biotechnology, I entered the field with curiosity and a desire to make an impact. This program helped me find my place in the nephrology community, both scientifically and professionally and yet still growing.
The opportunity to engage with leaders, inspiring mentors, and other trainees helped me to expand my network. Through joining monthly trainee work in progress (WIP), NYC Train KUHR Lecture series and scientific discussions, I gained not only technical knowledge but also the confidence and clarity to shape my career path.
This program has been instrumental in my career development—offering leadership training and opportunities for professional committee service (served as Executive Secretary of the KUHR-TN Trainee Committee). It allowed me to participate in targeted career development sessions. Most importantly, it reinforced my passion for kidney research, particularly the role of metabolism in acute kidney injury, and inspired me to continue advancing this work
To future participants: take full advantage of the people you’ll meet and the resources you’ll be exposed to. The relationships you build here may shape your future in ways you don’t yet expect!
I am grateful to be part of this growing alumni community and look forward to seeing how this program continues to elevate the next generation of kidney scientists and provide them a unique opportunity to grow!
Samaneh DiMartino
Dear perspective NYC-KUHR Applicants,
I was accepted into the NYC KUHR program in the fall of 2022, and while I was excited for the opportunity I did not strictly understand what participation in this umbrella training program would entail in the short/long term. In the first several conferences of the KUHR trainees and mentors I was able to meet clinicians/research investigators with a wide range of interest and expertise, further solidifying my choice to participate in this unique training program. Given the ongoing pandemic our initial meetings took place over zoom, with the first in-person introductions occurring at a Stony Brook University-based Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science daylong seminar – and it was really at this stage that I began to grasp the importance and utility of the KUHR consortium. We were broken up into groups and participated in a very challenging/fun day of training in science communication and improvisation – with the whole session really opening up my eyes to the multi-faceted benefits that can be provided by a program such as KUHR. Since then, after many regularly scheduled zoom sessions either focused on research updates from trainees or specific organ/disease teaching blocks from faculty mentors – I have really gained a much more nuanced perspective of not only the field of nephrology where my research is housed, but also related corollaries. The feedback I received during my yearly research update talks really helped shape my scientific program, especially the approach to securing external funding which I very happily did upon the recent receipt of an American Society for Nephrology Transition to Independence award in July of 2025 – which will allow me to branch out and fully refine my independent research program going forward. All in all, my decision to apply for and accept a position within the KUHR ecosystem greatly benefited my research and science communication endeavors and I highly recommend this program to anyone interested.
Sincerely,
Rob Bronstein
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