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

Associate Professor
Department of Urology
UAB

Associate Director

Clareth Lyas, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine
Diversity Champion, Division of Nephrology
UAB

Associate Director

Rhea Bhargava, MD

Assistant Professor
Nephrology & Hypertension
Tulane University

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.

Co-Director