Elaine Ku, MD Associate Professor, Medicine Home, Nephrology

The global context of my research program focuses on understanding differences in the epidemiology, clinical management, and outcomes of children versus adults with kidney disease and the conduct of clinical trials to test interventions (such as blood pressure control) that will improve survival of patients with kidney disease. I am especially interested in transitions of care, such as that between adolescence and young adulthood, as well as that between advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (including dialysis and transplant).

My specific areas of focus currently include 1) cardiovascular risk in patients with kidney disease; 2) disparities in access to kidney transplantation and transplant outcomes; and 3) risk factors for progression of chronic kidney disease.

I am currently Director of the Training in Clinical Research Program in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSF. I hold clinical responsibilities on the inpatient services in pediatric and adult nephrology.  In addition, I have a weekly clinic alternating between pediatric and adult nephrology where I oversee the transition of adolescents with kidney disease and kidney transplantation into adult healthcare systems.