Guests Jordy Cohen and Samir Parikh, members of the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week Education Committee, discuss their careers as physician-scientists, their inspiration for pursuing nephrology, and share advice for trainees. They also discuss the excitement for Kidney Week 2023, upcoming sessions on environmental health and the body's pressure sensing mechanism, the connection between adiposity and obesity, and the future opportunities at Kidney Week 2023.
Resilience, persistence, and embracing rejection are crucial qualities for a successful career in science.
Attending conferences like Kidney Week provides opportunities to connect with experts and learn from heroes.
Deep dives
Reflections on Nephrology Careers and Inspiration
In this podcast episode, two successful kidney researchers share their personal journeys into the field of nephrology. One researcher discovered their passion for nephrology during an undergraduate histology course, while the other developed an interest through renal pathology teachings. The importance of mentors and being open to new opportunities is emphasized as key elements for a successful career in science. The researchers highlight the need for resilience, persistence, and the ability to handle rejection as crucial qualities in navigating a research career. They also express the excitement of attending conferences like Kidney Week, where they can connect with experts, learn from their heroes, and have engaging conversations.
Highlights and Excitement for Kidney Week 2023
The podcast discusses the upcoming Kidney Week 2023 and the various sessions that will be offered. The speakers express their enthusiasm about specific topics and sessions, such as digital health, environmental health, and social determinants of health. They mention the importance of the poster session as a platform for networking, collaboration, and engaging conversations. The podcast also reveals their anticipation for late-breaking clinical trials, highlighting the trend of more positive findings in recent years. Additionally, they mention the ASN Innovation Tournament as an exciting event where participants can vote for the most promising topics related to kidney innovation. Overall, the speakers convey their enthusiasm for the diverse and informative content that Kidney Week 2023 will offer.
Advice for Trainees and the Journey in Science
The podcast concludes with valuable advice for trainees starting their careers in science. The importance of resilience, persistence, and embracing rejection is reiterated. The speakers stress the significance of mentors and how being open to various opportunities and collaborations can lead to unexpected success. They also emphasize the significance of enjoying what one does, as well as being willing to explore diverse areas of research. The podcast concludes by encouraging trainees attending Kidney Week to strategically plan their schedules, including sessions that make them uncomfortable but provide opportunities to learn something new. Wearing comfortable shoes and taking advantage of networking opportunities on the poster floor are also recommended.
In Episode 11, guests Jordy Cohen & Samir Parikh (and members of the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week Education Committee) join us for a discussion about Kidney Week 2023 and their careers as physician-scientists. They discuss their journeys to their current careers, what inspired them to pursue nephrology ("beautiful ribbons of anti-GBM"), and share their advice for trainees.
For more on Kidney Week 2023, here's a Doximity op-ed.