News

The ISN is pleased to welcome six dynamic young professionals to the ISN Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) and looks forward to their contributions to education, research, and leadership as they help shape the future of global kidney health: 

• Dr. Winston Fung (Hong Kong) 
• Dr. Marques Ng (Hong Kong) 
• Dr. Kornchanok Vareesangthip (Thailand) 
• Dr. Daniel P. Msilanga (Tanzania) 
• Dr. Carlo Alfieri (Italy) 
• Dr. Ming-Yan Jiang (Taiwan) 

Hailing from diverse parts of the world, with backgrounds in research, clinical advocacy, and medical education, these new committee members bring a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to support the YNC’s role within the ISN’s mission to advance kidney care worldwide.  

The YNC welcomes new perspectives as it pursues innovation to tackle current challenges in kidney care. We anticipate and look forward to achieving many accomplishments together!  

Please join me in getting to know these members: 

Let’s start with Dr. Winston Fung – will you please introduce yourself? 

Having graduated from the University of Cambridge, I’m now an associate consultant at the Prince of Wales Hospital and a clinical assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  

I’m highly interested in medical education, and I’ve received numerous Exemplary Teacher Awards over the years from my University. I’m also an Education Committee Member in a local society.  

My research interests include chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). I’m a local principal investigator for a territory-wide registry on PKD. I’ve published more than 90 peer-reviewed publications. 

I was a guest member of the 2020 World Kidney Day (WKD) Steering Committee and contributed to a successful WKD campaign despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In appreciation of my efforts, I was invited to join the 2024 WKD Steering Committee. 

I’m honored to have been selected to join the ISN Emerging Leader Program and was involved in both the ISN Education Working Group and the ISN North and East Asia Regional Board. I was recently nominated as an ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas Fellow for contributing to the project. I was also awarded Fellow of the ISN status in recognition of my dedication and contribution to kidney care and the ISN. 

I look forward to working with fellow committee members to serve our international young nephrologist communities better!  

Thank you, Dr. Fung. We look forward to working with you, too! 

Dr. Marques Ng joins us from China. It’s a pleasure to have you as a new YNC member, Dr. Ng. We would like to know more about you! 

I’m an assistant professor at the Nethersole School of Nursing at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. With a nursing background, I am dedicated to providing holistic care to my clients. During my doctoral studies, I focused on researching the psychosocial well-being of individuals with kidney disease, particularly exploring symptom clusters and their impact on the daily lives of those receiving dialysis therapy. 

In my research career, I specialize in nephrology nursing, focusing on biopsychosocial symptoms and determinants of health. Currently, I am leading a project funded by the Hong Kong Research Grant Council, which aims to address the financial distress experienced by individuals with kidney disease and develop interventions to improve their financial literacy and well-being. 

Alongside my research, I engage in several nephrology-related initiatives. I had the privilege of participating in the KDIGO Controversies Conference on Symptom-based Complications in Dialysis in 2022, where I shared my expertise in symptom management. In addition, I was elected as a Hong Kong Association of Renal Nurses council member in 2023. This year, through the ISN Mentorship Program, I am collaborating with Dr. Ana Figueiredo on an international project to promote strategies for dealing with fatigue in people with kidney disease. 

I am thrilled to join the ISN Young Nephrologists Committee and the Kidney Health Professionals Working Group to collaborate toward advancing global kidney care. 

An exciting scope of research, indeed, Dr. Marques Ng. A nurse’s perspective allows a more holistic approach to our kidney patients.  

Our next new YNC member is Dr. Kornchanok Vareesangthip. Dr. Vareesangthip, could you introduce yourself and your areas of interest?  

I am an assistant professor and consultant renal physician at Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University in Thailand. My career began with a solid educational foundation from the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, where I earned my Board of Internal Medicine and Board of Nephrology qualifications.  

I am passionate about research, with a keen interest in acute kidney injury, end-stage kidney disease, dialysis, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). I’ve authored many publications and co-founded the Thai ADPKD Registry cohort at Siriraj Hospital. Always eager to expand my horizons, I traveled across the globe to undertake a research fellowship with Professor Andrew Davenport at the Royal Free Hospital, University College London, gaining valuable insights into kidney medicine and research methodologies. 

Currently, I juggle multiple hats: I’m a consultant, a chair of the Asia-Pacific Society of Nephrology’s (APSN) Young Nephrologist Committee, and the driving force behind the APSN’s social media presence, making sure young nephrologists are connected and informed across the Asia-Pacific region.  

I have organized the first-ever debating session for young nephrologists to take place at the upcoming Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology later this year. In addition, I am a valued member of various national and international committees, where I contribute my expertise to shape research initiatives and educational programs.  

I’m a dedicated mentor to nephrology fellows and internal medicine residents, guiding them in their research projects and sharing my wealth of knowledge. I have a positive attitude and work hard to help advance global kidney care! 

Thank you, Dr. Kornchanok, for sharing your professional life with us.  

Our next member is an advocate for improving kidney care. Dr. Daniel P. Msilanga, could you tell us a little about yourself?  

I am a lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania. I am also a practicing nephrologist at Muhimbili National Hospital, a sister institute to MUHAS.   

I teach, supervise, and mentor medical students, residents, and nephrology fellows. My primary research focus is on CKD epidemiology and care within low- and middle-income countries. I aim to improve clinical practices through research and educational initiatives. Currently, I am collaborating with mentors to establish the first dialysis registry in Tanzania, with hopes to expand to a renal registry in the country. 

Beyond academia, I am deeply committed to community outreach efforts, striving to raise awareness about kidney health and advocate for improved access to care. My journey in nephrology has been marked by continuous learning and growth, fueled by a passion for advancing both individual patient care and broader public health outcomes. 

Thank you, Dr. Msilanga. We look forward to collaborating with you! 

Dr. Carlo Alfieri is also joining us. Dr. Alfieri, could you highlight some aspects of your career in nephrology for us?  

I am an associate professor of nephrology in the Department of Clinical and Community Sciences at the University of Milan. My educational journey began with a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” followed by specialized training in nephrology at the State University of Milan under the guidance of Professor D. Cusi. During this period, I gained extensive clinical experience in treating CKD, dialysis, and kidney transplantation.

My research interests lie in exploring risk factors for CKD progression and cardiovascular complications, as well as investigating biochemical parameters associated with vascular calcifications and vertebral fractures in dialysis and transplant patients. My doctoral thesis, developed at the Tenon Hospital in Paris, focused on experimental mediators in CKD, specifically the role of periostin and discoidin domain receptor-1.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I mentor students, supporting them with their thesis projects, and teach clinical nephrology at the University of Milan. My expertise extends to transplants – I have significantly contributed to the study and treatment of acute and chronic pathologies in kidney transplant recipients.  

My dedication to nephrology, experience in research, and expertise in CKD-MBD positions me as a committed contributor to advancing kidney care. 

Welcome to the team, Dr. Alfieri! 

Dr. Ming-Yan Jiang, we would like to know more about you – please tell us something about your professional life. 

I am an attending nephrologist at Chi Mei Medical Center in Taiwan, where I provide clinical care, supervise trainees, and conduct research on kidney diseases.  

With over a decade of experience in kidney care, I possess extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing various renal conditions.  

Beyond clinical duties, I mentor medical students and residents, emphasizing knowledge-sharing and nurturing future nephrologists.  

As part of my commitment to education, I have lectured at the Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, imparting my knowledge and insights to aspiring healthcare professionals.  

My dedication to kidney care extends to research, with contributions to esteemed journals focusing on population-based studies to enhance our understanding of kidney diseases. As an exchange scholar at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2019, I collaborated with the Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) research team in developing impactful insights for kidney disease management.  

I am passionate about community outreach. When I returned to Taiwan, I organized kidney disease screening campaigns in local communities to raise awareness and promote early detection. As a member of the Young Nephrologists Committee, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for early-career nephrologists to thrive.  

Thank you, Dr. Jiang – we’re excited to have you on board!