Reza Abdi, MD Appointed Director of Transplant Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Biology, UCLA Kidney Transplant Immunobiology Program
The UCLA Department of Medicine is pleased to announce the establishment of the Kidney Transplant Immunobiology Program (KTIP) in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM) and the appointment of Reza Abdi, MD as director of transplant nephrology and kidney transplant immunobiology, effective Nov. 1. The KTIP will bridge bioengineering, immunology and regenerative medicine to pioneer innovative strategies that promote long-term transplant survival and will serve as a hub for multidisciplinary collaborations across divisions within the department of medicine and other departments within DGSOM and UCLA Health. Dr. Abdi’s recruitment will also catalyze expansion of our clinical programs in transplantation nephrology.
“It is a profound privilege to lead the UCLA renal transplant program and the KTIP,” Dr. Abdi said. “I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the department of medicine and beyond to expand the program and to advance the next generation of research and innovation in this transformative field.”
In his new role in the KTIP, Dr. Abdi will prioritize building a strong foundation that integrates basic science, translational research and clinical trials.
“I am especially inspired by the commitment of the UCLA Division of Nephrology, department of medicine, DGSOM and UCLA Health, who have invested significant energy and resources into developing an exemplary transplant program,” he said. “Together, we aim to unite cutting-edge research with innovative therapies, ensuring that our patients and our investigators remain at the forefront of discovery and innovation.”
Dr. Abdi joins the department and the KTIP from his current role as the director of the Transplant Research Center (TRC) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a physician-scientist, his research focuses on advancing transplant immunology and developing innovative research strategies to improve long-term transplant outcomes, and he has consistently served in key leadership roles within major multi-institutional consortia on transplantation research and innovation. Through his work at the TRC, he has built a robust research platform that not only drives novel therapies but also trains the next generation of transplant researchers. He has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health and the American Society of Transplantation with awards for his commitment to mentorship and research.
“I am truly excited about the opportunity to play a role in nurturing the careers of trainees and junior investigators within such a remarkable program at UCLA,” Dr. Abdi said.
We look forward to welcoming Dr. Abdi to the department on Nov. 1.
Related Posts
The UCLA Department of Medicine (DoM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Colleen L. Channick, MD as chief of the UCLA Interventional Pulmonology (IP) Section. Dr.[...]
The UCLA Department of Medicine is pleased to announce that Stephanie Smooke Praw, MD was appointed clinical chief of the UCLA Division of Endocrinology effective July 1,[...]
The UCLA Department of Medicine is pleased to share that Chair and Executive Medical Director E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD was the recipient of the Keith Reimer[...]