New Jersey and Belgium-based International Society of Nephrology (ISN) has elected Dr Vivekanand Jha, a leading expert on kidney disease, as president of the society in its recently-concluded meeting in Mexico City, Mexico.
His term will run through 2021.
Currently the executive director of the George Institute for Global Health, India and a professor of nephrology at the University of Oxford, Jha is recognized as an expert on the burden of kidney disease and its socio-economic impact on low-middle income countries, according to an institute news release.
He is the first Indian and only the second person from Asia to ascend to the presidency of ISN in the 59-year history of the organization.
Having joined the ISN community as a Fellow, he set up his own laboratory at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh.
He has carried out large scale epidemiological studies, conducted key clinical trials to find treatment for many kidney diseases and conducted basic laboratory research, the institute said.
The International Society of Nephrology is a global organization of nephrologists and allied professionals dedicated to advancing worldwide kidney health. It has over 10,000 members and over 100 affiliated societies.