Current Position/Titles:

Degrees/Training:

ASN Service:

Abstract Selection Committee Member for several years, Member of the Grants Review Committee (2005-2012), Chair ASN Grants Review Committee (2012-2015). Program Committee of the ASN annual meeting (2011, 2015) and chair of the highly successful 50th anniversary ASN annual meeting held in Chicago (2016). Member of the Workforce and Training Committee (2012-2015). ASN Foundation Fund Raising Committee (2013-2016); Represented ASN in multiple "Hill Days."

Leadership positions:

Chair of the organizing committee of the American Society for Matrix Biology basement membrane meeting (2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018); Chair of the Fibronectin and related molecules Gordon Research Conference (2019), multiple NIH (including standing member on 2), ASN, and American Heart Association study sections; Member of the editorial boards for Journal of Biological Chemistry, JASN, Matrix Biology, Kidney 360, and Clinical Science; External Advisory Board for the Wellcome Trust Centre for Matrix Biology, Manchester, United Kingdom and External Advisory Board, Aurum Institute, South Africa.

Honors:

Hugh Morgan Teaching Award and Faculty of the Year, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Established Investigator of the American Heart Association; Young Investigator and Fellowship Awards from the National Kidney Foundation.

Board Certification:

Fellow of the South African College of Physicians (FCP); Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Canada (FRCPC); American Boards of internal Medicine; American Boards of Nephrology.

Research Interests:

Dr. Zent is a well-established investigator whose research focuses on defining how cells sense the extracellular environment and how cell/extracellular matrix interactions play a role in physiology and pathology. He primarily studies these interactions in the context of kidney development and response to kidney injury. He has defined novel pathways that are critical for the development of kidney fibrosis, the final common pathway of most kidney disease. He actively works with collaborators to develop anti-fibrotic drugs that might halt the progression of chronic kidney disease before it reaches end stage kidney failure. He is well-published with over 170 peer reviewed papers in top tier journals.

Personal Statement:

Dr. Zent, a highly successful scientist responsible for the administration of one of the best funded departments of medicine in the USA has worked in several countries and understands the global clinical challenges of nephrology. He is involved in many aspects of medical training and is actively engaged in educating and mentoring young scientists interested in kidney research. He has developed and implemented major academic programs. Importantly, he has served the ASN in numerous capacities and has proven to be an outstanding communicator with integrity and vision. He will work tirelessly to achieve the ASN mission to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world.