Published on April 28, 2021 | The PKD Foundation is pleased to announce that Kyongtae Ty Bae M.D., Ph.D, M.B.A., is the winner of the 2021 Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement in the Understanding of Polycystic Kidney Disease. Considered the most prestigious prize in the polycystic kidney field, the honor serves to stimulate members of the global scientific and medical communities to increase or begin research with an outcome leading to a PKD treatment and cure.
“Hugely honored, yet hugely humbled, wholeheartedly hoping for a cure soon!”
—Kyongtae Ty Bae M.D., Ph.D, M.B.A.,
Honoring the 2021 Kaplan Award Winner
The PKDF presented the award at the virtual International Society of Nephrology’s World Congress of Nephrology on April 18. The award includes $50,000, an inscribed Tiffany & Co. bowl, and a citation depicting his work.
“It’s my honor to present Dr. Bae with this distinguished award. He’s made innumerable contributions to imaging methodology and biomarker development which continue to improve the care of patients with PKD,” said Dr. Rusconi, the PKDF Chief Research Officer. “We sincerely appreciate Mr. Kaplan’s ongoing generous commitment in recognizing PKD researchers such as Dr. Bae, our 2021 award winner. Such work provides ongoing hope for PKD patients throughout the world.”
About Dr. Bae
Dr. Bae is a scientific researcher who’s worked in the PKD field for over 20 years. A radiologist by training, he currently serves as the associate dean of clinical imaging research at the University of Pittsburgh. He’s been involved in applying quantitative and physiologic imaging and computer technology, including contrast medium pharmacokinetics, computer-aided diagnosis, and artificial intelligence, to advance translational and imaging biomarker research in a wide range of diseases, including ADPKD.
Before winning the Kaplan Award, Dr. Bae published over 670 publications, including 265 peer-reviewed papers, many of which are related to PKD research. With NIH and DOD funding over 20 years, he led efforts to develop robust imaging biomarkers for PKD. All while serving as the PI and chief radiologist for the CRISP and TAME studies and chief radiologist for the HALT and TEMPO studies.
History of the Lillian Jean International Kaplan Prize
The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize was established in 2002 by the PKD Foundation and the International Society of Nephrology. Thomas Kaplan created the award in memory of his mother, Lillian Jean Kaplan, who died in 2002 from PKD. The award recognizes individuals whose scientific work results in tangible achievement toward improving the knowledge and treatment of PKD.
Kaplan Award: The Years Ahead
Since 2002, Thomas Kaplan has generously donated more than $4.5 million to the PKD Foundation, which includes more than $1 million in support of the Kaplan Award. In 2020, the Foundation began offering the award annually. Prior to 2020, the prize was given to two scientific contributors biennially. We’d like to thank Thomas Kaplan for his generous support toward helping #endPKD.
Hello and Congratulation! Please can you share the knowledge and new trials with teaching hospitals like Froedert in Milwaukee, its been 17 years since i donated a kidney and they haven’t advanced much!