About UKRO and the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center
UKRO is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit charity founded in 2002 by entertainment lawyer Kenneth Kleinberg with the help of Dr. Vito M. Campese, then Professor and Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Our mission is fundraising to support medical research and education related to the causes, treatment, and eradication of all forms of kidney disease.
Since 2002, UKRO has raised significant dollars to fund cutting-edge research at the earliest stage of development, in addition to educational symposia and fellowships. Our special project grants have been awarded to nationally recognized experts from interdisciplinary labs at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, City of Hope, and UCLA.
We believe that collaboration among scientists working in a variety of fields is the key to understanding chronic kidney disease, discovering improved therapies, and finding a much-needed cure. To that end, in September 2012, UKRO entered into an agreement with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to establish what we envision as a premier center nationally for kidney research—the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center (KRC). We have made an initial $3.5 million pledge to support the establishment of the KRC, which officially opened in 2015. UKRO’s gift will be matched by equivalent contributions from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Led by Kenneth Hallows, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.N., the research team at the KRC is exploring kidney regeneration and stem cell therapies, acute kidney injury, hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, acid regulation, kidney cancer, and more.
UKRO Remembers Shelly Saltman
UKRO mourns the loss of a true friend and former board member Shelly Saltman, who passed away on February 16, 2019 at the age of 87. He and his wife Mollie became involved with UKRO in its early days, after Mollie experienced kidney troubles.
Shelly Saltman was a legendary sports promoter whom many will remember as the force behind the Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match and Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon stunt attempt. He was the original president of Fox Sports and later started his own PR firm, representing Andy Williams, The Osmonds, Roger Miller, and other musicians. He was beloved as a wonderful story teller and amazing human being. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all who loved him.
Keck School of Medicine of USC Hosts World Kidney Day Health Fair
Bravo to the USC School of Pharmacy, members of KDSAP (Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program), the Internal Medicine Residency Program and the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the Keck School of Medicine, and all involved in the 2nd Annual World Kidney Day Health Fair, which took place on…
USC Researchers Use Nanoparticles to Target Kidneys
In an exciting cross-collaboration, researchers from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck School of Medicine have created tiny nanoparticles, known as micelles, to target diseased kidney cells. Made with an ingenious kidney-targeting peptide, these biocompatible and biodegradable micelles can pass into the kidney and remain there, with…
Kidney Research Center Welcomes Eugene Lin
This month the USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center (KRC) welcomed Eugene Lin, M.D., M.S., to the team. Dr. Lin is an Assistant Professor of Medicine with a joint appointment at the KRC and the Department of Medicine’s Division of Nephrology and the Saul Price School of Public Policy and the USC…
Diet Rich in Potassium Linked to Lower Blood Pressure
Research from Keck School of Medicine of USC researcher Alicia McDonough, Ph.D., could lead to a simple and tasty way to lower blood pressure. “Decreasing sodium intake is a well-established way to lower blood pressure, but evidence suggests that increasing dietary potassium may have an equally important effect on hypertension,”…
The Chronic Kidney Disease Crisis
Chronic kidney disease affects the general population, but is particularly prevalent among African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans. Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease. Left untreated, kidney disease can lead to permanent damage and kidney failure. It is imperative that we protect our kidney health.