News

In Memory of William G. Couser
1939 – 2025

The ISN is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of William Couser, who played a key role within ISN for many years.

Professor Couser served as the ISN president from 2005 to 2007. He was also a member of the ISN Executive Committee for 12 years, including six years as chair of the ISN Global Outreach (GO) Programs, and helped launch World Kidney Day in 2006.

Professor William Couser was a renowned nephrologist with a distinguished career in kidney disease research, education, and global health leadership. After earning his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, he became an affiliate professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, USA. Internationally recognized for his research on the immune mechanisms of kidney disease, clinical management of glomerular diseases, and renal health policy, he led NIH-funded research from 1972 to 2004, directed the George M. O’Brien Kidney Research Center, and published over 300 papers on immune kidney diseases. As Belding H. Scribner Professor and head of nephrology at the University of Washington, he trained more than 90 specialists from six countries. He also served as president of the American Society of Nephrology (1996–97)

Professor Couser developed the ISN Pioneer Awards to recognize the exceptional kidney care professionals he met while leading GO. He commented, “Going regularly to each of these regions, I was also constantly reminded that in every developing country, someone before us did the first dialysis, organized the first transplant, performed the first biopsy, taught the first classes on renal physiology, and began the first program to train physicians in our relatively new discipline. In each region, some pioneers overcame very significant obstacles to begin or advance nephrology and save the lives of kidney patients.”

In 2018, Professor Couser was awarded the John P. Peters Award from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) in recognition of his “substantial research contributions to the discipline of nephrology and […] sustained achievements in one or more additional domains of academic medicine including clinical care, education and leadership.’ He also received the David Humes (2007) and Joel Kopple (2012) Awards. He was the recipient of the ISN Jean Hamburger Award in 2020.

Professor Couser wrote extensively about ISN initiatives: Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology published his article “ISN and the ‘new nephrology‘” in 2006, outlining the ISN’s restructured grants, expanded fellowship opportunities, and global prevention meetings to combat the rise of chronic kidney diseases, especially in developing nations. He also contributed to the 2014 paper “Nephrology in developing countries: the ISN’s story” alongside John Feehally, which was published in The Lancet.

ISN Past President John Feehally comments, “It was my privilege to work alongside Bill Couser in ISN leadership for more than a decade. Bill believed passionately in the importance of ISN and especially its Global Outreach programs, and gave himself to them with remarkable and unstinting  energy. He  inspired many others to help him deliver those programs. His personal efforts were relentless – he planned with clarity, ensured our resources were used to the very best, and travelled far and wide across all continents teaching and encouraging. Global nephrology owes him much.”

ISN immediate Past President Masaomi Nangaku comments, “Bill was an exceptional scientist. At a time when all other nephrologists believed that glomerulonephritis resulted from circulating immune complex trapping, he discovered in situ immune complex formation as its pathomechanism. This groundbreaking discovery brought about a paradigm shift in the field of glomerulonephritis.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Bill was an extraordinary mentor. He guided and inspired many nephrologists, including myself, and today, his protégés hold leading roles both in their regions and across the world.

Though he had a blunt demeanor and a tough exterior, beneath it, he was the kindest and most gentle human being I have ever known. His unwavering dedication to his patients, colleagues, and the pursuit of science lives on in the hearts of his mentees and will continue to inspire future generations of nephrologists.”

ISN Past President Agnes Fogo added, “Dr. Couser was such a generous mentor and dear friend to so many. He had high standards and lead the way in helping others to reach their goals, always focussing on excellence in science, and promoting awareness of kidney disease and improving kidney health worldwide. He had a droll sense of humor and gave me valuable advice and support at every step of my career. He will be missed by so many, but his imprint and efforts will resonate for long to come.”

The ISN offers sincere condolences to Professor Couser’s family, colleagues, and friends.