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
Leadership/Director,
Medicine – Nephrology

Co-Director

Dean Assimos, MD

UAB Professor of Medicine
Emeritus Chair
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

Shareen Clement, Ed.D

Augusta University Director, Multicultural Student Engagement Adjunct Faculty, College of Education and Human Development 

Assoc. Director

Flor Alvarado, MD, MPH

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
Vice Chair of Research, DOM
Medicine – Nephrology

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, LCSCC 

Pediatric – Hematology-Oncology

Co-Director

Richard McIndoe, PhD

Augusta University Professor
Director, Center for Biotech & Genomic Medicine

Dr. Mitchell Image

Assoc. Director

Tanecia Mitchell, PhD

UAB Assoc. Prof. of Medicine
Career Advocacy Program
Urology

Assoc. Director

Bryan Becker, PhD

UAB Assistant Professor
iSMART Program
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

Dr. Mitchell Image

Assoc. Director

Tanecia Mitchell, PhD

UAB Assoc. Prof. of Medicine
Career Advocacy Program
 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

Dr. Mitchell Image

Rena Becker, MA

KUH PRIME PDC Admin. &
T1 Career Coach
UAB

Kelsi Hancock

KUH PRIME Program Coordinator
UAB