18 October 2024

The UK Kidney Association is proud to announce that Dr Omid Sadeghi-Alavijeh has been honoured with the prestigious Raine Award. As an NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Renal Medicine and a distinguished nephrology researcher, Omid has made significant contributions to the field of kidney genetics, particularly in understanding inherited kidney diseases like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Omid’s research is focused on using large-scale whole-genome sequencing data to unravel the genetic architecture of kidney diseases, aiming to improve early diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutic strategies. His work addresses a critical need in kidney care—despite their rarity, inherited kidney disorders contribute to more than 10% of kidney failure cases worldwide.

Reflecting on his career, Omid says, "I have always been fascinated by the genetic factors that drive rare kidney diseases. My goal is to enhance patient care by translating basic genetic research into clinical applications." He has also collaborated with leading organisations such as Google DeepMind, contributing to the development of the "Streams" acute kidney injury warning system.

His impactful work has been recognised with multiple publications, including in leading journals such as The Journal of Clinical Investigation and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Beyond his academic achievements, Omid has demonstrated a strong commitment to patient care and teaching, making him an invaluable member of the nephrology community.

Omid will deliver the Raine Award Lecture at UK Kidney Week 2025 in Bournemouth. His talk, “Decoding the Genetic Landscape of Inherited Kidney Diseases: Insights from Whole-Genome Sequencing,” promises to provide critical insights into the future of kidney genetics and the role of genomics in advancing patient care.

This award highlights his dedication to both clinical excellence and innovative research. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work in the years to come.