Research interests of our Division’s faculty include hypertension, contributors to cardiovascular disease and disease progression in children with chronic kidney disease, clinical outcomes of glomerular disease, treatments for chronic kidney disease, and acute and chronic effects of cancer therapy on the kidney
Please see below to learn more about our investigators and their research efforts.
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Tracy Hunley, MD
Dr. Hunley is a clinician in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension where he cares for kidney related diseases in kids from neonates to young adults. His interests include glomerular disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), kidney stones, and chronic kidney disease. His research endeavors are directed at better understanding and treating these entities. Dr. Hunley is the Vanderbilt Pediatrics site Principal Investigator for HIKO STEC (Hyperhydration to Improve Kidney Outcomes in Shiga Toxin E.coli infections) sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH), with hopes to improve outcomes of diarrhea associated HUS. His interest in mechanisms of progressive decline in kidney function led to early work in the renin-angiotensin system and inhibition. More recently, his interests also include the kidney protective properties of SGLT2 inhibitors and potential translation of these benefits to pediatric kidney patients. He is a site Principal Investigator for EMPA Kidney Kids, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease.
Learn more about Dr. Hunley’s research.
Kathy Jabs, MD
Dr. Jabs' research interests include treatments and complications of chronic kidney disease in children including outcomes of dialysis and transplantation.
Learn more about Dr. Jabs’ research.
Deborah P. Jones, MD, MS
Dr. Jones' research interests are in cancer-related kidney disease and cardiovascular alterations among children with hypertension and/or chronic kidney disease, including evaluation of renal function in children with cancer to allow accurate dosing of chemotherapy, acute kidney injury in children with cancer, late effects of cancer and cancer therapy, and left ventricular remodeling and arterial alterations as they relate to ambulatory blood pressure patterns in children with hypertension.
Learn more about Dr. Jones’ research.
Valentina Kon, MD
Dr. Kon investigates the connections between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease. In particular, she is interested in defining the mechanisms underlying CKD-associated dysfunctions of lipid handling and inflammatory functions by the macrophage, a key cell type in development and progression of atherosclerotic heart disease.
Learn more about Dr. Kon’s research.
Renee G. VanDeVoorde, III, MD
Dr. VanDeVoorde’s research has focused on the treatment and clinical outcomes of the sequelae of chronic kidney disease, including End Stage Renal Disease. This has included multi-center studies of infectious complications, bone and mineral disease, anemia, growth, and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease as well as quality improvement in the care of pediatric dialysis patients.
Learn more about Dr. VanDeVoorde's research.
Jianyon Zhong, MD, PhD
Dr. Zhong investigates how kidney development, lymphatic vascular function, lipid handling and inflammation shape susceptibility to progressive kidney disease. In particular, she is interested in defining how renal lymphatic vessels regulate interstitial clearance, immune activation and tissue remodeling after kidney injury, and how developmental programs influence kidney repair versus progression.