Thomas R. Kleyman, MD

Grants Review Committee

Biography

Date of Birth

July 30, 1952

Titles

Sheldon Adler Distinguished Professor of Medicine; Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology; Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology; Director, Pittsburgh Center for Kidney Research; Chief, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh

Degrees

BS Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 1973
MD Washington University, St. Louis, MO 1978
MA (honoris causa) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 1997

ASN Service

Abstract Selection Committee Member or Section Chair, multiple years; Basic Science Committee 2001-04; Young Investigator Award Committee, 2004-07; Annual Meeting Program Committee, 2007

Societies and Honors

American Heart Association (AHA); American Physiological Society (APS); American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; American Society for Clinical Investigation (elected); American Society of Nephrology; Association of American Physicians (elected); Association of Subspecialty Professors; Biophysical Society; National Kidney Foundation; Salt and Water Club (Secretary, 1993-1995); Society of General Physiologists. Secretary/Chair, Steering Committee, Epithelial Transport Group, APS, 1999-03; Programming Committee, APS, 1999-03; Renal Section Steering Committee, APS, 2007-13; Co-organizer, 7th International Symposium on Aldosterone and the ENaC/Degenerin Family of Ion Channels, APS, 2011; Member, Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Kidney Study Section, NIH, 2003-07; College of CSR Reviewers, NIH, 2010-12; Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, AHA Clinician-Scientist Award, AHA Established Investigatorship Award; Donald Martin, MD Teaching Service Award; NKF of the Alleghenies Gift of Life Award; NIH MERIT Award; NIH Director?s Bridge Award; APS Ussing Lecture, 2008; ASN Robert Schrier Lecture, 2009; AHA Donald Seldin Lecture, 2010; Sheldon Adler, MD Chair in Nephrology Research, 2011; Dale Benos Lecture, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2013; Rogosin Institute Lectureship, Weill Cornell Medical College, 2015; Carl W. Gottschalk Distinguished Lectureship, American Physiological Society, 2015; Hong Memorial Lecture, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2020; Distinguished Professor of Medicine, 2021

Editorial Boards

American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, Editorial Board, 1995-2001; Associate Editor, 2001-2007; Editor-in-Chief, 2007-2013; Journal of Biological Chemistry, Editorial Board, 2001-2006, 2008-2013; Journal of Clinical Investigation, Editorial Board, 2002-2012; Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Physiological Reports 2012-2017; Editor-in-Chief, Physiological Reports 2018-2022; Editorial Board, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2017-

Research Interests

My research efforts are focused on studies of epithelial sodium channels. Recent work has been directed at understanding how the channel is regulated by extracellular factors, including sodium, proteases, and mechanical forces. We are also examining the regulation of BK channels by mechanical forces and WNK kinases. Recent studies are using mouse models to examine the roles of BK channels, the kinase WNK1 and the mechanosensor piezo1 in intercalated cells in the adaptation to a high K diet.

Current Position/Titles:

Chief, Renal-Electrolyte Division; Sheldon Adler Professor of Medicine; Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology; Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology; Director, Pittsburgh Center for Kidney Research; University of Pittsburgh

Degrees/Training:

B.S. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 1973

M.D. Washington University, St. Louis, MO 1978

M.A. (honoris causa) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 1997

Internal Medicine Residency: Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

Nephrology Fellowship: Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

ASN Service:

Abstract Selection Committee Member or Section Chair, multiple years; Basic Science Committee 2001-04; Young Investigator Award Committee, 2004-07; Annual Meeting Program Committee, 2007.

American Heart Association Service:

Cardiorenal Study Section, 1993-97; Review Committee, Southeastern Penn Affiliate, 1994-97; Co-Chair/Chair, Review Committee, Mid-Atlantic Research Consortium 1998-02; Chair, Research Committee, Penn-Delaware Affiliate, 2002-04; Board of Directors, Penn-Delaware Affiliate, 2002-04; Research Committee, AHA National Center, 2003-07; Science Classification Task Force, 2007; Distinguished Scientist Selection Committee, 2010-2012; Established Investigatorship Award Task Force, 2010-2011; Established Investigatorship Award Review Committee, Chair 2011, Member, 2012, 2015, 2017; Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease Leadership Committee, 2003-07; 2010-2012; Member, AHA Scientific Meetings Initiative Summit, 2014; Reviewer, AHA Strategically Focused Research Network Study Section, 2014; Co-Chair, AHA Bayer Discovery Grant Review Committee, 2017.

Leadership Positions:

American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, Editor-in-Chief, 2007-2013; Associate Editor, 2001-2007; Editorial Board, 1995-2001; Physiological Reports, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, 2012-2017; American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology, Editorial Board, 1993-1999; Journal of Biological Chemistry, Editorial Board, 2001-2006, 2008-2013; Journal of Clinical Investigation, Editorial Board, 2002-2012; Clinical and Translational Science, Editorial Board, 2008-2015; Secretary/Chair, Steering Committee, Epithelial Transport Group, APS, 1999-03; Programming Committee, APS, 1999-03; Renal Section Steering Committee, APS, 2007-13; Co-organizer, 7th International Symposium on Aldosterone and the ENaC/Degenerin Family of Ion Channels, APS, 2011; Board of Directors, Telluride Science Research Center, 2008-13; Milken Institute ESRD Scientific Advisory Group, 2016; ad hoc Reviewer, NIH, 1994-date; Member, Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Kidney Study Section, NIH, 2003-07; College of CSR Reviewers, NIH, 2010-12; External Grant Reviewer for the National Science Foundation, Medical Research Council (UK), Israel Science Foundation, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UK), Austrian Science Fund; Swiss National Science Foundation, Dutch Kidney Foundation; French National Research Agency.

Societies and Honors:

American Association for the Advancement of Science; American Heart Association; American Physiological Society (APS); American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; American Society for Clinical Investigation (elected); American Society of Nephrology; Association of American Physicians (elected); Association of Subspecialty Professors; Biophysical Society; National Kidney Foundation; Salt and Water Club (Secretary, 1993-1995); Society of General Physiologists; Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, AHA Clinician-Scientist Award, AHA Established Investigatorship Award; Donald Martin, MD Teaching Service Award; NKF of the Alleghenies Gift of Life Award; NIH MERIT Award; NIH Director's Bridge Award; APS Ussing Lecture, 2008; ASN Robert Schrier Lecture, 2009; AHA Donald Seldin Lecture, 2010; UAB Dale Benos Lecture, 2013; Rogosin Institute Lecture, 2015; APS Carl W. Gottschalk Lecture, 2015.

Board Certification:

Internal Medicine

Nephrology

Research Interests:

My group has a longstanding interest in epithelial transport physiology. We are examining mechanisms of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) regulation. We are particularly interested in the role of proteases in activating ENaC in nephrotic syndrome. We have identified novel functional human ENaC variants and are assessing how these variants affect blood pressure in rodent models and humans. We are also examining the regulation of renal K+ secretory channels. I serve as the director of an NIDDK-funded O'Brien Kidney Research Core Center, and direct NIH T32 and T35 training grants.

Personal Statement:

As a nephrologist and division chief, I see many of the challenges and opportunities that our specialty faces. Among the challenges are an aging workforce, declining interest in nephrology among medicine trainees, limited therapeutic options for many kidney disorders and insufficient funding for kidney research. There are opportunities for innovative approaches to the care of our patients to improve outcomes while reducing expenditures. There continue to be exciting discoveries that should positively impact our patients. As an ASN council member, I would work with clinicians, educators, trainees and scientists to address key issues that are relevant to our discipline.