About Us
KUH Premier Research and Inter-disciplinary Mentored Education (PRIME)
PRIME is an interdisciplinary initiative to bring together Kidney, Urology, and non-malignant Hematology researchers and scholars from across the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Tulane University, and Augusta University. KUH PRIME works to develop a fully integrated, interdisciplinary network of pre- and post-doctoral trainees in KUH research. We will do so by building on our long-standing and successful track record of training KUH researchers to create a community of scholars that are both inter-disciplinary and inter-connected, bringing together trainees at all levels and consolidating training activities across the UAB, Tulane University, and Augusta University training ecosystem.
KUH PRIME Leadership
Administrative Core:
The Administrative Core will be the center of the organizational structure & governance of KUH PRIME. It will leverage the collaborative spirit & established relationships between kidney, urology, & non-malignant hematology scientists to form a cohesive institutional training network.
Co-Director
![gutierrez-orlando-md-mmsc](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/gutierrez-orlando-md-mmsc.jpg)
Orlando Gutierrez, MD, MMSc
Professor of Medicine
Marie S. Ingalls Endowed Chair in Nephrology
Leadership and Director, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
![assimos-dean-md](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/assimos-dean-md.jpg)
Dean Assimos, MD
Professor of Medicine
Chair emeritus, Department of Urology
UAB
Co-Director
![abdullah-kutlar-md_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/abdullah-kutlar-md_400x400.jpg)
Abdullah Kutlar, MD
Professor of Medicine
Director, Sickle Cell Center
Department of Medicine
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Co-Director
![robert-hoover-md_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/robert-hoover-md_400x400.jpg)
Robert Hoover, MD, FASN, FAHA
Professor of Medicine and Physiology
Deming Department of Medicine, Dr. A. Rudolph and Ruth Ryder Huberwald Chair, Chief of Section of Nephrology and Hypertension – Tulane University
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Evaluation and Training Metrics
Associate Director
![lyas-caretha-md](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/lyas-caretha-md.jpg)
Clareth Lyas, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Diversity Champion, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
![WebbTennilleSQUARE](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2024/02/WebbTennilleSQUARE-d0c1e8fe62e9d535.png)
Tennille Webb, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
![Alvarado](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/10/Alvarado-e1698853442351.jpg)
Flor Alvarado, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Medicine, Section of Nephrology and Hypertension
Tulane University
Associate Director
![KSmith_24](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2024/03/KSmith_24-81c120f141887b4e.png)
Kimberly Smith, PhD
Assistant Professor
Family & Community Medicine
UAB
Training Core:
The Training Core supports the demographically & scientifically diverse KUH PRIME trainees. We provide training in interdisciplinary & translational research that ensures pre- & post-doctoral trainees will learn the skills & knowledge to successfully transition to the next steps of their careers in KUH research.
Co-Director
![pollock-david-phd-faha-fasn-faps](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/pollock-david-phd-faha-fasn-faps.jpg)
David Pollock, PhD, FAHA, FASN, FAPS
Professor of Medicine
Director, Cardio-Renal Physiology & Medicine, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
![lee-timmy-md](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/lee-timmy-md.jpg)
Timmy Lee, MD, MSPH
Professor of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Vice Chair of Research, DOM
Associate Director, Nephrology Fellowship Program & NTRC
UAB
Co-Director
![jennifer-sullivan-phd-faha](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/jennifer-sullivan-phd-faha.jpg)
Jennifer C. Sullivan, PhD, FAHA
Professor
Dean, Graduate School
Augusta University
Associate Director
![richter-holly-md-phd](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/richter-holly-md-phd.jpg)
Holly Richter, MD, PhD, FACOG, FACS
Professor
Endowed Chair, OBGYN
Research Director
Division of Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Associate Director Gynecologic Research in CWRH
UAB
Associate Director
![sarah-lindsay-phd_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/sarah-lindsay-phd_400x400.jpg)
Sarah Lindsey, PhD
Associate Professor
Beckman Professorship in Pharmacology
Tulane University
Professional Development Core:
The Professional Development Core’s main focus is to motivate & sustain the next generation of scientific leaders. We have created an immersive, individualized, interdisciplinary, and integrated core that provides personalized mentoring, inspirational career forums, research training institutes, & leadership development.
Co-Director
![pollock-jennifer-phd](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/pollock-jennifer-phd.jpg)
Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Director, Kidney Pipeline Programs
UAB
Co-Director
![lebensburger-jeffrey-do-msph](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/lebensburger-jeffrey-do-msph.jpg)
Jeffrey Lebensburger, DO, MSPH
Professor
Director, Pediatric Hematology
Co-Director, Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
UAB
Co-Director
![richard-mcindoe-phd_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/richard-mcindoe-phd_400x400.jpg)
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Professor
Director, Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
Medical College of Georgia Augusta University
Associate Director
![Mitchell Headshot 2020 (1) Dr. Mitchell Image](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/09/Mitchell-Headshot-2020-1.jpg)
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
Career Advocacy Program
Associate Professor
Department of Urology
UAB
Associate Director
![lyas-caretha-md](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/lyas-caretha-md-1.jpg)
Clareth Lyas, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Diversity Champion, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
![bbecker](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2024/07/bbecker.jpeg)
Bryan Becker, PhD
iSMART Program
Assistant Professor
Division of Nephrology
UAB
Network Core:
The Network Core’s overall goal is to provide the diverse KUH PRIME scholars strategies to help develop their networking & communication skills & apply them to a range of networking opportunities.Â
Co-Director
![hyndman-kelly-phd](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2021/11/hyndman-kelly-phd.jpg)
Kelly Hyndman, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
![Kanter_Julie_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/Kanter_Julie_400x400.jpg)
Julie Kanter, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology and Oncology
Co-Director, Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
UAB
Co-Director
![Rhea_Bhargava2](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/10/Rhea_Bhargava2-e1698851610713.jpg)
Rhea Bhargava, MD
Assistant Professor
Nephrology & Hypertension
Tulane University
Associate Director
![Mitchell Headshot 2020 (1)](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/09/Mitchell-Headshot-2020-1.jpg)
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Urology
UAB
Associate Director
![nichole-beachum-phd_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/nichole-beachum-phd_400x400.jpg)
Nicole Beachum, PhD
Assistant Professor
Collat School of Business
UAB
Associate Director
![richard-mcindoe-phd_400x400](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2022/09/richard-mcindoe-phd_400x400.jpg)
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Professor
Director, Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
Medical College of Georgia Augusta University
Deep South KUH PRIME Administration
![Monica Vasiliu, PhD](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/12/Monica-Vasiliu-headshot.jpg)
Monica Vasiliu, PhD
KUH PRIME Program Director - UAB
![Stephanie Villagran](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/12/Stephanie-Villagren.png)
Stephanie Villagran
KUH PRIME Administrator Tulane University
![Leigh Wells](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/12/Leigh-Wells.png)
Leigh Wells
KUH PRIME Administrator Augusta Univerisity/MCG
![Rena Becker](https://sites.uab.edu/kuhprime/files/2023/12/Becker1.png)
Rena Becker
KUH PRIME PDC Administration and TL1 Career Coach