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I first heard about the ISN when I began my senior residency training in nephrology in 2015. I was intrigued by the activities but coming from an LMIC and being a trainee, I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford the membership fee. I couldn’t believe it when I found out that membership was free for trainees. I got the full details from my mentor Professor Ifeoma Ulasi, and boom, I became an ISN member! 

ISN has many career development opportunities, and I was determined to make use of them. With support from Professor Ulasi and Professor Vivekanand Jha, I successfully applied for an ISN Fellowship. My one–year training as an ISN Fellow skyrocketed my career in nephrology.  

A nephrologist cannot develop in isolation. I’d heard that the ISN is a community bonded by love for the kidneys, something I had experienced on a small scale, but I knew that attending the World Congress of Nephrology was the way to connect with this wonderful community. Sourcing funds to register and attend WCN is unfeasible for most trainees in LMICs. In 2019, I successfully applied for a WCN’20 travel grant and was excited at the prospect of gathering with the ISN community – Abu
Dhabi, here I come!

Sadly, COVID-19 meant that there would be no in-person meeting that year. While I waited for the COVID-19 coast to clear, I applied and became part of the second ISN ELP cohort, thus getting to know a group of ISN members virtually. The announcement of WCN’23 in Bangkok opened up the possibility of finally meeting the international ISN community – I resolved to be there!

There and then, I set my plans in motion to ensure nothing, including travel costs, would stop my attendance. I submitted an abstract and applied for a WCN’23 travel grant, waiting for what seemed like an eternity for a reply. Finally, I got the emails, which I opened with trembling hands. They were what I longed for: My abstract had been accepted, and my travel grant application was approved!

Success felt sweet, and things only got sweeter! I was wondering who I would meet in Bangkok when I received an email from the ISN announcing that all ELP cohorts would get sponsorship to attend the congress. This was great news! Finally, we could have an inperson meeting thanks to ISN lifting the financial burden of travel off our shoulders. What else will WCN’23 bring me?

The WCN’23 scientific program is bursting at the seams. Hands-on pre-conference activities (I love interventional nephrology), carefully selected topics in the scientific, special and joint sessions, abstract presentations (including mine!), a special ISN Young Nephrologists session, and so much more. As a co-moderator and presenter in some sessions, including table networking and spotlight sessions, it sure will be a great opportunity to expand my research network. I am thrilled – this is simply excitement overload!

– Ugochi Onu