Dr. Rovin received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis Missouri, and a Fellowship in Nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. He joined the College of Medicine Faculty in 1990, became Director of the Division of Nephrology in 2004, and served as Vice Chairman of Medicine for Research from 2009-2019. In 2019 he became the Medical Director of the Ohio State University Clinical Research Management Institute.Dr. Rovin has had several leadership roles in the American Society of Nephrology, including running the Glomerular Diseases Pre-Course and Co-Editing NephSAP Glomerular Diseases, a continuing education program of the Society.Most recently he was appointed Deputy Editor of Kidney International, the flagship journal of the International Society of Nephrology. He also is Co-Chair for glomerular disease guideline development for the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes effort.Dr. Rovin studies the immunopathogenesis of glomerular and autoimmune diseases. He is heavily involved in clinical trial development and design for investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials. He is a founding member of NephroNet, a grass-roots nephrology community clinical trial organization, and the Lupus Nephritis Clinical Trials Network. He is and has been the Principal Investigator on several trials of novel therapeutics for glomerular diseases.

Dr. Rovin received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis Missouri, and a Fellowship in Nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. He joined the College of Medicine Faculty in 1990, became Director of the Division of Nephrology in 2004, and served as Vice Chairman of Medicine for Research from 2009-2019. In 2019 he became the Medical Director of the Ohio State University Clinical Research Management Institute.Dr. Rovin has had several leadership roles in the American Society of Nephrology, including running the Glomerular Diseases Pre-Course and Co-Editing NephSAP Glomerular Diseases, a continuing education program of the Society.Most recently he was appointed Deputy Editor of Kidney International, the flagship journal of the International Society of Nephrology. He also is Co-Chair for glomerular disease guideline development for the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes effort.Dr. Rovin studies the immunopathogenesis of glomerular and autoimmune diseases. He is heavily involved in clinical trial development and design for investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials. He is a founding member of NephroNet, a grass-roots nephrology community clinical trial organization, and the Lupus Nephritis Clinical Trials Network. He is and has been the Principal Investigator on several trials of novel therapeutics for glomerular diseases.

Expertise:Nephrotic SyndromeGlomerulonephritis, including lupus nephritis, minimal change disease, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathyPolycystic Kidney Disease

Expertise:Nephrotic SyndromeGlomerulonephritis, including lupus nephritis, minimal change disease, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathyPolycystic Kidney Disease

Dr. Barratt leads the Renal Research Group within the College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester. His research is focused on a bench to bedside approach to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.He serves as the IgA Nephropathy Rare Disease Group lead for the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) and a member of the steering committee for the International IgA Nephropathy Network. He works closely with pharmaceutical companies on new treatments for IgA nephropathy and is a chief investigator for a number of international randomized controlled trials in IgA nephropathy.

Dr. Barratt leads the Renal Research Group within the College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester. His research is focused on a bench to bedside approach to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.He serves as the IgA Nephropathy Rare Disease Group lead for the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) and a member of the steering committee for the International IgA Nephropathy Network. He works closely with pharmaceutical companies on new treatments for IgA nephropathy and is a chief investigator for a number of international randomized controlled trials in IgA nephropathy.

Wilson Du, also known as RenalWarrior, was diagnosed with Stage 5 renal failure and told he would need to lose about 100 pounds to be eligible for a kidney transplant. He spent 5.5 years on dialysis before receiving a life-changing kidney transplant on March 8, 2022.

Since his transplant, Wilson has dedicated his life to supporting others in their journey toward health and wellness. Through his gym, TheMissionHQ in Alameda, California, he empowers kidney patients to overcome their own challenges, using his personal experience to inspire and guide them.

For Wilson, the most fulfilling and rewarding thing in his life is seeing these patients get better and helping them have some control over their lives.

Wilson Du, also known as RenalWarrior, was diagnosed with Stage 5 renal failure and told he would need to lose about 100 pounds to be eligible for a kidney transplant. He spent 5.5 years on dialysis before receiving a life-changing kidney transplant on March 8, 2022.

Since his transplant, Wilson has dedicated his life to supporting others in their journey toward health and wellness. Through his gym, TheMissionHQ in Alameda, California, he empowers kidney patients to overcome their own challenges, using his personal experience to inspire and guide them.

For Wilson, the most fulfilling and rewarding thing in his life is seeing these patients get better and helping them have some control over their lives.

Lauren is a renal dietitian who has been working with people with kidney disease for over 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.Lauren completed her master’s degree at the University of California, Davis. In 2013, Lauren earned her Specialization in Renal Nutrition (CSR). Lauren is the owner of Happy Health Nutrition LLC, a private practice focused on helping people with chronic kidney disease. She is also the Director at Cukebook, a non-profit whose mission is to make a kidney-friendly diet attainable for all people through nutrition and culinary education.

Dr. Kim M. Rice is a board-certified nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates in Dallas, Texas, specializing in kidney and pancreas transplantation and transplant nephrology. She practices across the group's Landry and Viceroy offices and the Dallas Transplant Institute, and serves as an investigator at the Renal Disease Research Institute. Her work on kidney transplantation outcomes has been featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, and she holds affiliations with Baylor University Medical Center, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Medical City Dallas, and Parkland Health & Hospital System.

Lauren is a renal dietitian who has been working with people with kidney disease for over 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.Lauren completed her master’s degree at the University of California, Davis. In 2013, Lauren earned her Specialization in Renal Nutrition (CSR). Lauren is the owner of Happy Health Nutrition LLC, a private practice focused on helping people with chronic kidney disease. She is also the Director at Cukebook, a non-profit whose mission is to make a kidney-friendly diet attainable for all people through nutrition and culinary education.

Dr. Kim M. Rice is a board-certified nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates in Dallas, Texas, specializing in kidney and pancreas transplantation and transplant nephrology. She practices across the group's Landry and Viceroy offices and the Dallas Transplant Institute, and serves as an investigator at the Renal Disease Research Institute. Her work on kidney transplantation outcomes has been featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, and she holds affiliations with Baylor University Medical Center, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Medical City Dallas, and Parkland Health & Hospital System.

Dr. Sayna Norouzi, an assistant professor of Medicine and clinical nephrologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center, finished her fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is the founder and director of the glomerular diseases clinics at Loma Linda and serves as the co-director of the online GlomCon Glomerular Diseases fellowship program. Recognized as the educator of the year for three years in a row, she is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Norouzi focuses on glomerular diseases, actively participating in various research projects and clinical trials.

Dr. Sayna Norouzi, an assistant professor of Medicine and clinical nephrologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center, finished her fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is the founder and director of the glomerular diseases clinics at Loma Linda and serves as the co-director of the online GlomCon Glomerular Diseases fellowship program. Recognized as the educator of the year for three years in a row, she is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Norouzi focuses on glomerular diseases, actively participating in various research projects and clinical trials.

Aliza Thompson is Director of the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Division of Cardiology and Nephrology regulates and reviews Investigational New Drug applications and marketing applications for drug and biologic products for the treatment of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Dr. Thompson joined the FDA in 2007. Prior to her current position, Dr. Thompson served as Deputy Director of the Division. Dr. Thompson received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins Medical School and completed her Internal Medicine and Nephrology training at Columbia University/New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She holds a Master of Science in Biostatistics/Patient Oriented Research Track from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Selena DeConti, Pharm.D., M.P.H., is Deputy Director for Safety in the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she oversees the safety of products reviewed and approved in the division for the treatment of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Dr. DeConti joined the FDA in 2011, bringing with her experience from the United States Public Health Service, which she has served since 2008. Prior to her current position, she served in the Division of Risk Management and the Division of Pharmacovigilance in the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology. Dr. DeConti received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy and her Master of Public Health from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina.

Roberto “Tito” Erb is a Puerto Rican kidney transplant recipient and
the author of Tito Needs a Kidney and its Spanish edition, Tito
necesita un riñón. After IgA nephropathy progressed to kidney failure,
he spent two years on in-center hemodialysis, underwent two kidney
transplants, and faced kidney cancer along the way. He shares his
story from the patient perspective, focusing on kidney disease,
dialysis, transplantation, recovery, and rebuilding life around
chronic illness.

Wyatt Meschke – Patient

Wyatt Meschke is a vibrant and determined 14yearold freshman at Algona High School in Algona, Iowa. Born on January 4, 2012, he proudly holds the title of the New Year’s Baby for his small rural hometown. Wyatt is deeply involved in school life—he plays football, basketball, and his favorite sport, baseball, and plans to try golf this spring. Beyond athletics, Wyatt is musically gifted. He has a strong singing voice and plays the alto

saxophone, he has performed in choir, jazz choir, band, and jazz band. He also volunteers at his church, offering a helping hand wherever needed and sharing his musical talents during special services. Academically, Wyatt is exceptional. He graduated middle school with a 4.0 GPA, one of

only a few students to do so. Outside of school, he enjoys VR gaming, Minecraft, fishing, spending time with friends and his

older brother, and following storm chasers. His fascination with severe weather has sparked a growing interest in meteorology and stormresearch careers. In May 2025, Wyatt was diagnosed with IgAN following a kidney biopsy. Thanks to the swiftness of his family practitioner and referral to an outstanding pediatric nephrology team at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, his condition is currently stable and

classified as Stage 1. Wyatt approaches his health journey with resilience, curiosity, and a maturity beyond his years.

Rauchelle Meschke – Caregiver

Rauchelle Meschke is a Licensed Acupuncturist at Kossuth Regional Health Center. She earned her Master’s degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 2006. Originally from North Dakota, she now proudly calls Iowa home. Alongside her

husband, Shane, she is a dedicated caregiver and advocate for Wyatt.

Rauchelle has spent her career helping others heal, supporting patients through their own health journeys with compassion and skill. She is a proud member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (supporting women’s education) and she recently added a new role to her life as her church’s treasurer, continuing her commitment to service and community. When she’s not cheering from the sidelines at her sons’ sporting events, Rauchelle enjoys

remodeling homes for family and friends, working in the yard, spending time with friends, watching movies with her boys and relaxing with a good glass of wine. Wyatt’s diagnosis in May 2025 opened an entirely new chapter—one filled with research, learning, and navigating a disease she had never heard of. After the initial shock, Rauchelle found a new rhythm of normalcy, supported by hope and by finding a community of families affected by IgAN. Her journey reflects strength, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to her

son.