National charity role for kidney disease expert

03 May 2012

A major UK charity which funded a promising young kidney disease researcher back in 1992 has now invited him to join its Board of Trustees.

Kidney Research UK – the largest funder dedicated to kidney research and kidney problems in the UK – has appointed renowned paediatric nephrologist Professor Adrian Woolf as a trustee, recognising his pioneering work in both the laboratory and the clinic to investigate and treat kidney problems in children. 

It was Kidney Research UK who gave Adrian, Professor of Paediatric Science at The University of Manchester and an honorary consultant at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), his first major break in kidney research. Twenty years ago, the charity funded a five-year senior fellowship which enabled him to pursue both a clinical and academic career in paediatric kidney disease.

In 1998 he established an academic Unit for Nephrology at the University College London Institute of Child Health, affiliated to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Moving to Manchester in 2010, with the help of his clinical genetics colleagues, Adrian set up a renal genetic clinic at RMCH. The clinic was set up to help children born with abnormal kidneys and urinary tract disorders, which currently affects around 1 in 100 children worldwide.

Professor Woolf’s current research unites nephrology, urology, genetics, fetal medicine and histopathology clinical services with perspectives from developmental and cell biology and molecular genetics science. He has published over 100 original research papers, and over 60 review articles/chapters, with a focus on normal and abnormal renal development.

“It’s a great honour to be appointed as a Kidney Research UK trustee, and I look forward to working with the very committed medical and lay colleagues on the Board of Trustees,” said Adrian.  “I’m pleased to be able to share my clinical and research expertise, especially in children’s kidney disease, as well as my previous experience as a Trustee and Honorary Secretary of the Renal Association (which represents the whole UK community of kidney clinicians and researchers) and my enthusiasm to spread the word about kidneys to the general public.

“The charity awards around £3 million a year to support laboratory research, clinical research studies and the development of new treatments for kidney patients. Fundraising in the current economic climate is a challenge, and I’m keen to support Kidney Research UK in its aims of funding life-saving research into kidney disease, improving the quality of life of those with kidney disorders and increasing public awareness of kidney health.”

Charles Kernahan, Chief Executive of Kidney Research UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Professor Adrian Woolf to our board of Trustees with a long-standing, successful career in renal research, including two senior fellowships with the Charity.  With his clinical health expertise and enthusiasm for kidney health, Adrian’s support as a Trustee will be invaluable in helping us in our mission of doubling our income and trebling our impact.”