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
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
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2022

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.
University of Sheffield
United Kingdom
2021

Kyongtae (Ty) Bae, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
2020

Arlene Chapman, M.D.
University of Chicago
Chicago
2019

York Pei, M.D.
University of Toronto
Canada

Bradley Yoder, Ph.D.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Ala.
2017

Ronald D. Perrone, M.D.
Tufts Medical Center
Boston

David R. Beier, M.D., Ph.D.
Seattle Children’s Research
Seattle
2015

Peter Igarashi, M.D.
University of Minnesota Medical School
Minneapolis

Gregory J. Pazour, Ph.D.
University of Massachussetts Medical School
Worcester, Mass.
2013

Vincent Gattone, Ph.D.
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis

Dorien Peters, Ph.D.
Leiden University Medical Center
Leiden, Netherlands
2011

Gerd Walz, M.D.
Freiburg Medical Center
Germany

James Calvet, Ph.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kan.
2009

Lisa Guay-Woodford, M.D.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Ala.

Corinne Antignac, M.D., Ph.D.
Necker Hospital
Paris

Friedhelm Hildebrandt, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
Boston
2007

Jing Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School
Boston

Vicente Torres, M.D.
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minn.
2005

Greg Germino, M.D.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore

Stefan Somlo, M.D.
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Conn.
2003

Jared J. Grantham, M.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kan.

Peter Harris, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minn.
Page last edited January 2023