The International Society of Glomerular Disease Welcomes Four New Board Appointments
Healthcare leaders Drs. Matthias Kretzler, Liz Lightstone, Brad Rovin, and Marina Vivarelli bring deep expertise in clinical trials, patient support, pediatric nephrology, and global collaboration.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International Society of Glomerular Disease Announces Four New Board Appointments
Florence, MA — August 21, 2026 — The International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD) is honored to welcome four distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: Matthias Kretzler, MD, PhD; Liz Lightstone, MA, MBBS, PhD; Brad H. Rovin, MD; and Marina Vivarelli, MD. These nephrologists have been instrumental in ISGD’s growth and international impact since being founded in 2023. Their appointments reflect ISGD’s continued mission towards uniting a global community of clinicians, researchers, and partners dedicated to advancing glomerular disease research, medicine, education, and patient care.
“We are delighted to welcome Matthias, Liz, Brad, and Marina to the ISGD Board. Their expertise, leadership, and commitment will strengthen our global mission and help shape the next chapter of ISGD.” - Tobias B. Huber, President, ISGD
3 New Board Members & 1 New Board Observer
Dr. Kretzler is Professor of Internal Medicine/Nephrology and Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan. He brings extensive leadership experience in collaborative research and translational science, including leadership roles with The Nephrotic Syndrome Research Network (NEPTUNE) and Proteinuria and Other Biomarkers as Endpoints for Clinical Trials in Kidney Disease (PARASOL), industry-academic partnerships, fundraising, and operational development through Michigan Kidney Translational Medicine Center (MiKTMC).
Learn more: Matthias Kretzler, MD, PhD (MiKTMC)
Dr. Rovin is the Lee A. Hebert Professor of Nephrology at Ohio State University. A renowned clinical trialist and translational scientist, he brings broad leadership experience to the ISGD, across Centers of Excellence and Proteinuria and Other Biomarkers as Endpoints for Clinical Trials in Kidney Disease (PARASOL) initiatives, as well as editorial and guideline experience including service as Deputy Editor of Kidney International and Co-Chair of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) glomerular diseases guideline group.
Learn more: Brad H. Rovin, MD | Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Dr. Vivarelli is Chief of the Laboratory of Nephrology and Chief of the Clinical Trial Center at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Rome, Italy. She is a global leader in pediatric nephrology and clinical trials, with expertise spanning international collaboration with International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), the European Rare Kidney disease Network (ERKNet) and consultancy for the EU Connect for Children (c4c) network.
Learn more: Marina Vivarelli - European Rare Kidney disease Network
Board Observer on behalf of International Society of Nephrology (ISN)
Professor Liz Lightstone is Professor of Renal Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London and an Honorary Consultant Physician with Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust. She is widely recognized for her expertise in glomerular disease, lupus nephritis, kidney disease in pregnancy, health equity, and women’s health. As ISN liaison and a contributor to Centers of Excellence (COE) leadership, she brings extensive international experience across nephrology organizations, clinical research, guideline development, and patient voice advocacy, including work to ensure that patient priorities are central to glomerular disease research.
Learn more: Liz Lightstone - International Society of Nephrology
The International Society of Glomerular Disease is a professional nephrology society founded to build the future of glomerular medicine, which includes supporting the experts who care for patients. ISGD’s mission is to unite a global community to connect, educate, transform, and support a glomerular disease research and medicine to improve patient care.
For more information, visit www.is-gd.org.
Starlene Chang
Marketing Manager
International Society of Glomerular Disease
star.chang@is-gd.org