Kaplan Award

Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement in the Understanding of Polycystic Kidney Disease

The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement recognizes an individual(s) whose seminal scientific work constitutes tangible achievement toward improving knowledge and treatment of PKD. More than one prize may be awarded, and it may be awarded to residents of any country without restriction.

Award-winner 2023

Terry J. Watnick, MD

Terry J. Watnick, MD

Joan B. and John H. Sadler Professor in Nephrology, Director Baltimore Polycystic Kidney Disease Research and Clinical Core Center

 

Professor Watnick was involved in developing the first genetic test for ADPKD and, alongside colleagues, made several important discoveries about the genetic basis of PKD using DNA analysis.

She has since established an independent laboratory, applying multiple approaches to understanding PKD biology, including using model organisms. Her work has made an important contribution to understanding the critical function that PKD proteins play in vasculature. She continues to work on the genetics and pathophysiology of aneurysm formation, a poorly understood manifestation of ADPKD.

Professor Watnick has been an investigator in multicenter trials, including TEMPO, REPRISE and TAME. She was past chair of the PKD Foundation Scientific Advisory Panel and supports collaborative science to achieve a cure for PKD.

Since 2010, she has led the Maryland PKD Research and Translation Core Center and is co-principal investigator of the coordinating site for the NIH-funded PKD Centers’ program. In this capacity, she works to ensure that research resources are distributed to a broad community of investigators to advance cutting-edge PKD science.

Nominations for 2024

Nominations for the 2024 award are due August 2023. 

Nomination requirements:

  • Your details: complete name, ISN membership number, and contact information
  • Nominee details: complete name (as listed in publications) and contact information
  • Support statement: a description of how and why the nominee’s work represents a major advance in basic or clinical understanding of PKD, distinguishing those aspects which clearly set it apart from the work of others in the field, and a summary of the nominee’s contributions
  • Full curriculum vitae and bibliography of the nominee
  • Letters of support: at least two

All nominations and supporting materials are to be sent via email to Jo-Ann Donner at jdonner@theisn.org.

Winners are selected by the Lillian Jean Kaplan Prize Advisory Committee: Committee Chair Dr. Vicente Torres, two committee members selected by the PKD Foundation, and two ISN members.

Past award recipients

2022

Alessandra Boletta, Ph.D.

Alessandra Boletta, Ph.D.

San Raffaele Scientific Institute

Italy

Albert Chee Meng Ong, B.M.B.Ch., M.A., D.M., F.R.C.P.

Albert Chee Meng Ong, B.M.B.Ch., M.A., D.M., F.R.C.P.

University of Sheffield

United Kingdom

2021

Kyongtae (Ty) Bae, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.

Kyongtae (Ty) Bae, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

2020

Arlene Chapman, M.D.

Arlene Chapman, M.D.

University of Chicago

Chicago

2019

York Pei, M.D.

York Pei, M.D.

University of Toronto

Canada

Bradley Yoder, Ph.D.

Bradley Yoder, Ph.D.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Ala.

2017

Ronald D. Perrone, M.D.

Ronald D. Perrone, M.D.

Tufts Medical Center

Boston

David R. Beier, M.D., Ph.D.

David R. Beier, M.D., Ph.D.

Seattle Children’s Research

Seattle

2015

Peter Igarashi, M.D.

Peter Igarashi, M.D.

University of Minnesota Medical School

Minneapolis

Gregory J. Pazour, Ph.D.

Gregory J. Pazour, Ph.D.

University of Massachussetts Medical School

Worcester, Mass.

2013

Vincent Gattone, Ph.D.

Vincent Gattone, Ph.D.

Indiana University School of Medicine

Indianapolis

Dorien Peters, Ph.D.

Dorien Peters, Ph.D.

Leiden University Medical Center

Leiden, Netherlands

2011

Gerd Walz, M.D.

Gerd Walz, M.D.

Freiburg Medical Center

Germany

James Calvet, Ph.D.

James Calvet, Ph.D.

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kan.

2009

Lisa Guay-Woodford, M.D.

Lisa Guay-Woodford, M.D.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Ala.

Corinne Antignac, M.D., Ph.D.

Corinne Antignac, M.D., Ph.D.

Necker Hospital

Paris

Friedhelm Hildebrandt, M.D.

Friedhelm Hildebrandt, M.D.

Harvard Medical School

Boston

2007

Jing Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.

Jing Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.

Harvard Medical School

Boston

Vicente Torres, M.D.

Vicente Torres, M.D.

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minn.

2005

Greg Germino, M.D.

Greg Germino, M.D.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore

Stefan Somlo, M.D.

Stefan Somlo, M.D.

Yale University School of Medicine

New Haven, Conn.

2003

Jared J. Grantham, M.D.

Jared J. Grantham, M.D.

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kan.

Peter Harris, Ph.D.

Peter Harris, Ph.D.

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minn.

Page last edited January 2023