Sophia L. Ambruso, DO, FASN

2025 William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Grant

Institution: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Project Title: ABC Kidney - Development, Implementation and Assessment of a Gamified, Interactive Kidney Physiology Tutorial for Undergraduate Medical Education

Provide a brief overview of the research/project you will conduct with help from the grant.

ABC Kidney is a self-directed, internet-based educational tool that uses animated tutorials, clinical vignettes, and interactive features (e.g., sliders, drag-and-drop, quizzes) to teach kidney physiology. It emphasizes durable learning methods such as distributed practice and retrieval. Currently covering general nephrology and sodium/water balance, ABC Kidney will be expanded into a comprehensive physiology resource with added gamification. We will implement it in the UCSOM MS1 Trek and APP curricula, evaluating its impact on study habits, exam performance, and student/faculty perceptions to guide best practices in digital medical education.

What inspired you to focus your work in this area?

Attracting trainees to nephrology remains a challenge, driven in part by the perceived complexity of renal physiology—often cited as the most difficult area of medical education, aka 'nephrophobia'. Traditional lectures lack the engagement and retention needed for such cognitively demanding material, and most digital resources simply mirror this format with limited interactivity and high costs. With the shift toward self-directed learning, preference for digital resources, and fast-paced curricula; concise, high-yield tools are essential. ABC Kidney meets this need by offering accessible, interactive content specifically designed to make kidney physiology more engaging and easier to master.

What are your career goals at the end of the grant period? Five years out? Ten years out?

The William and Sandra Bennett Clinical Scholars Award will advance ABC Kidney through continued development, gamification, and implementation, while providing protected time to evaluate its impact. It will also lay the groundwork for future expansions, like a comprehensive platform for all physiology (ABC Physio), and a Learning Management System to support educators in creating durable digital learning tools (ABC MedEd).

What has surprised you most about your career?

I never imagined at the start of my clinician educator career that I would be doing the work I am now. By following my passion for education, I identified a critical needs gap that set me on this unexpected path—despite not seeing myself as particularly tech-savvy or computer science–oriented. But with hard work, a meaningful idea, and the support of passionate, talented collaborators, that idea has grown far beyond what I first envisioned.

What are the major challenges facing nephrology today?

Fewer trainees interested in nephrology #makenephrologycoolagain.

In one sentence, please describe the importance of having grant funding available through KidneyCure.

This funding will drive ABC Kidney's development, gamification, and implementation, while providing protected time to evaluate its impact, providing a springboard for future expansions, including a full physiology platform (ABC Physio) and a Learning Management System (ABC MedEd) to help educators create durable digital resources.

What advice would you give to others to encourage them to apply for this grant funding?

Apply—even if your project feels unconventional or outside your comfort zone. By identifying an educational need and pursuing it with passion and the right collaborators, a simple idea grew into something far beyond what I imagined. This grant provides more than funding—it offers time, mentorship, and a platform to develop your skills and amplify your impact. If you have a meaningful idea and a clear vision for improving medical education, this grant can be the catalyst that brings it to life.

Something you may not know about me is…

I am a podcaster (Freely Filtered & Kidney Essentials), but I don't listen to podcasts!!

In my free time I like to…

Spend time with my family, get outdoors (skiing, hiking, biking, fly fishing), play soccer, read or watch sci-fi/fantasy.