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, MMSc
Professor of Medicine
Marie S. Ingalls Endowed Chair in Nephrology
Leadership and Director, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
Dean Assimos, MD
Professor of Medicine
Chair emeritus, Department of Urology
UAB
Co-Director
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, 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
Clareth Lyas, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Diversity Champion, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
Tennille Webb, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
Flor Alvarado, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Medicine, Section of Nephrology and Hypertension
Tulane University
Associate Director
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
David Pollock, PhD, FAHA, FASN, FAPS
Professor of Medicine
Director, Cardio-Renal Physiology & Medicine, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
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 C. Sullivan, PhD, FAHA
Professor
Dean, Graduate School
Augusta University
Associate Director
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 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
Jennifer Pollock, PhD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Director, Kidney Pipeline Programs
UAB
Co-Director
Jeffrey Lebensburger, DO, MSPH
Professor
Director, Pediatric Hematology
Co-Director, Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
UAB
Co-Director
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Professor
Director, Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
Medical College of Georgia Augusta University
Associate Director
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
Career Advocacy Program
Associate Professor
Department of Urology
UAB
Associate Director
Clareth Lyas, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Diversity Champion, Division of Nephrology
UAB
Associate Director
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
Kelly Hyndman, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
UAB
Co-Director
Julie Kanter, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology and Oncology
Co-Director, Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
UAB
Co-Director
Rhea Bhargava, MD
Assistant Professor
Nephrology & Hypertension
Tulane University
Associate Director
Tanecia Mitchell, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Urology
UAB
Associate Director
Nicole Beachum, PhD
Assistant Professor
Collat School of Business
UAB
Associate Director
Richard McIndoe, PhD
Professor
Director, Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
Medical College of Georgia Augusta University
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 Univerisity/MCG
Rena Becker
KUH PRIME PDC Administration and TL1 Career Coach