Research Expectations
Fellows are expected to engage in scholarly activity as an integral part of their fellowship training. There are over 85 nephrologists at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, several of whom are actively engaged in clinical research. There are many opportunities to support your clinical research goals within our program.
Aida Shirazi R.Ph., M.S., Ph.D. Kaiser San Francisco Medical Center Research Project Manager
Dr. Shirazi supports fellows throughout the research process. She guides fellows through the process of IRB training, IRB proposals, and local funding. She collaborates closely with fellows, faculty, and their research team to formalize a research plan, develop research proposals and submit to the IRB. She also collaborates with research teams to provide guidance on research projects, contributing to research goals, planning, reporting, distribution, and publications.
Regional Glomerular Disease Program
Our Regional Glomerular Disease Program encompasses 13 nephrologists, a dedicated glomerular disease clinic, and weekly multidisciplinary glomerular disease case reviews with pathologists and other medical specialties (e.g., rheumatology, genetics, oncology, high-risk maternal-fetal medicine). This regional glomerular disease program is actively involved in caring for ~400 patients with complex glomerular disorders and oversees the population health program of approximately 6000 patients with glomerular diseases. Our glomerular disease program has established a registry to assess and improve renal biopsies’ outcomes, is creating a glomerular disease registry for comparative effectiveness studies and has initiated two clinical trials for patients with glomerular disease. This program will provide fellows the opportunity to engage in quality improvement/quality assurance initiatives and scholarly activities.
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research (DOR)
The KP DOR conducts epidemiological, translational, and health services research, as well as clinical trials. It has over 250 ongoing studies supported by more than $100 million funding per year. Sources of funding include the National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The DOR consists of over 600 people, including over 60 investigators. It is located in Oakland and is an integral part of The Permanente Medical Group. For those fellows with an interest in epidemiology, outcomes, and service delivery research, the DOR offers incredible opportunities for education, collaboration, and building a career in those areas.
Additional Sources of research funding for fellows
- Delivery Science Fellowship and Research
- Funding through general medical education