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
Orlando Gutierrez, MD
UAB Professor of Medicine
Endowed Chair in Nephrology
Director, Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Co-Director
Dean Assimos, MD
UAB Emeritus Professor and Chair, Department of Urology
Co-Director
Abdullah Kutlar, MD
Augusta University Prof. of Med.
Director, Sickle Cell Center & Department of Medicine
Co-Director
Robert Hoover, MD
Tulane University Professor of Medicine & Physiology
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief, Nephrology & HTN
Committee on Access and Engagement
Director
Clareth Lyas, MD
UAB Associate Professor of Medicine
Access and Engagement Champion
Medicine – Nephrology
Assoc. Director
Tennille Webb, MD
UAB Asst. Prof. of Medicine
Pediatric – Nephrology
Assoc. Director
Flor Alvarado, MD, MHS
Tulane University Asst. Professor
Division of Medicine,
Nephrology & Hypertension
Evaluation and Training Metrics Committee
Assoc. Director
Kimberly Smith, PhD
UAB Assistant Professor
Family & Community Medicine
Training Core:
The Training Core supports KUH PRIME trainees who represent a broad spectrum of scientific interests. 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
David Pollock, PhD
UAB Professor of Medicine
Director, CRPM
Medicine – Nephrology
Co-Director
Timmy Lee, MD
UAB Professor of Medicine
Director Division of Nephrology
Vice Chair of Research – Department of MedicineÂ
Co-Director
Jennifer Sullivan, PhD
Augusta University Professor
Dean, Graduate School
Assoc. Director
Holly Richter, MD, PhD
UAB Professor
Endowed Chair, OBGYN
Research Director, UPRS
Assoc. Dir., GYN Research in CWRH
Assoc. Director
Sarah Lindsey, PhD
Tulane University
Associate Professor
Beckman Prof. in Pharmacology
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
Jennifer Pollock, PhD
UAB Professor of Medicine
Director, Kidney Pipeline Programs
Medicine – Nephrology
Co-Director
Jeff Lebensburger, DO
UAB Professor of Medicine
Director, Pediatric Hematology
Co-Director, LCSCCÂ
Pediatric – Hematology-Oncology
Co-Director
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Augusta University Professor
Director, Center for Biotech & Genomic Medicine
Assoc. Director
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
UAB Assoc. Prof. of Medicine
Urology
Assoc. Director
Bryan Becker, PhD
UAB Assistant Professor
Medicine – Nephrology
Network Core:
The Network Core’s overall goal is to provide KUH PRIME scholars strategies to help develop their networking & communication skills & apply them to a range of networking opportunities.
Co-Director
Kelly Hyndman, PhD
UAB Assoc. Professor of Medicine
Medicine – Nephrology
Co-Director
Julie Kanter, MD
UAB Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, LCSCC
Medicine – Hematology & Oncology
Co-Director
Rhea Bhargava, MD
Tulane University Asst. Professor
Nephrology & Hypertension
Assoc. Director
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
UAB Assoc. Prof. of Medicine
 Urology
Assoc. Director
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Augusta University Professor
Director, Center for Biotech & Genomic Medicine
Deep South KUH PRIME Administration
Monica Vasiliu, PhD
KUH PRIME Program Director
UAB
Stephanie Villagran
KUH PRIME Administrator
Tulane University
Leigh Wells
KUH PRIME Administrator
Augusta University/MCG
Christina Phanna
KUH PRIME Administrator
Tulane University
Rena Becker, MA
KUH PRIME PDC Admin. &
Career Coach
UAB
Kelsi Rodriguez
KUH PRIME Program Coordinator
UAB