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RPA/ISGD CLINICAL TRIAL BOOTCAMP

April 16, 2026
Atlanta, Georgia

STARTING A CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM IN NEPHROLOGY PRACTICE

The landscape of kidney disease treatment is evolving rapidly, with innovative therapies entering clinical phases at an unprecedented pace. However, the growth of the clinical research workforce has not kept pace with the volume of trials requiring qualified investigators.

The need for a sustainable pipeline of trial-ready sites with highly trained nephrologist-investigators has never been more urgent. This bootcamp addresses that gap by providing practical training, mentorship access, and networking opportunities for nephrology professionals in private practice.

This interactive workshop, jointly led by RPA and the International Society of Glomerular Disease, will equip you with essential knowledge to craft a robust business plan and launch a successful clinical research program.

The agenda includes insightful panels and interactive discussions covering:

  • Building and Executing the Business Plan and ROI 

  • Do's and Don'ts

  • Support and Logistics

  • Variety and Practice Settings

BOOTCAMP FACULTY

Learn firsthand from colleagues who have successfully built clinical trial programs — including leading private practice nephrologists and study coordinators, as well as the perspective of trial sponsors and CROs. This is a unique opportunity to network, learn how to bring the latest treatment options to your patients, and contribute to the growing momentum in nephrology drug approvals.

Headshot of Shikha Wadwhani
Shikha Wadhwani, MD, MS, FASN University of Texas Medical Branch
KK Headshot
Katie Kwon, MD Renal Physicians Association
Barb Headshot
Barbara Gillespie, MD, FASN International Society of Glomerular Disease
Headshot of Suneel Udani, MD
Suneel Udani, MD NANI
Headshot of Sreedhar Mandayam, MD
Sreedhar Mandayam, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Headshot of Jim Tumlin, MD
Jim Tumlin, MD Emory/NephroNet
Headshot of Julie Lin, MD
Julie Lin, MD Travere
Headshot of Todd Minga, MD
Todd Minga, MD Akebia
Headshot of Idalis Rivera - Ramirez
Idalis Rivera-Ramirez, MPH, CCRC Panoramic Health
Heashshot of Sarah Stump
Sarah Stump, MS PPD
Headshot of Ajay Srivastava, MD
Ajay Srivastava, MD, FASN Medpace
Headshot of Ann Mooney, MS
Ann Mooney, MSN, RN, CNN Panoramic Health
Headshot of Jeremy Whitson, PhD
Jeremy Whitson, BS, CCRA, CCRP NephroNet
Charmaine Emelife
Charmaine Emelife, MD Southeast Kidney
Headshot of Chia - Shi Wang, MD
Chia - Shi Wang, MD, MSc Emory University
Laurel IPC intro 620x430
Laurel Damashek International Society of Glomerular Disease
Adonia Calhoun Groom Headshot 2025
Adonia Calhoun Groom Renal Physicians Association

RPA/ISGD CLINICAL TRIAL BOOTCAMP AGENDA

Join us for a comprehensive half-day workshop designed to help nephrologists launch and grow clinical trial programs in private practice settings.

  • April 16, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Room: Regency V

REGISTRATION & LUNCH

  • All Participants

12:00 PM - 12:08 PM

Room: Regency V 

WELCOME REMARKS & THE WHY

  • Katie Kwon MD, Renal Physicians Association
  • Barbara Gillespie MD, FASN, International Society of Glomerular Disease/University of North Carolina

12:10 PM - 12:28 PM

Room: Regency V

TOPIC 1: TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BECOMING A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)

  • Sreedhar Mandayam MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center

12:30 PM - 1:10 PM

Room: Regency V

PANEL 1: WHAT MAKES A GOOD CLINICAL TRIAL SITE

  • Panel: Ajay Srivastava MD, FASN, Medpace; Sarah Stump MS, PPD; Idalis Rivera-Ramirez, MPH, CCRC, Panoramic Health; Todd Minga MD; Akebia
  • Moderator: Shikha Wadhwani MD, MS, FASN, University of Texas Medical Branch

1:10 PM - 1:20 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

1:20 PM - 1:45 PM

Room: Regency V

TOPIC 2: HOW TO BUILD THE BUSINESS PLAN & HOW TO EXECUTE IT

  • Jim Tumlin MD, Emory/NephroNet
  • Jeremy Whitson BS, CCRA, CCRP, NephroNet

1:47 PM - 2:08 PM

Room: Regency V

TOPIC 3: JOURNEY TO BECOMING A PI: A FIRESIDE CHAT

  • Speaker: Charmaine Emelife MD, Southeast Kidney
  • Moderator: Barbara Gillespie MD, International Society of Glomerular Disease/University of North Carolina

2:10 PM - 2:40 PM

Room: Regency V

PANEL 2: UNDERSTAND THE VILLAGE IT TAKES TO RUN CLINICAL TRIALS

  • Panel: Suneel Udani MD, NANI; Julie Lin MD, Travere; Ann Mooney MS, Panoramic Health; Idalis Rivera-Ramirez, MPH, CCRC, Panoramic Health

  • Moderators: Katie Kwon MD, Renal Physicians Association

2:40 PM - 2:50 PM

BREAK

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM

Room: Regency V

NEPTUNE MATCH

  • Chia-Shi Wang MD, Emory

3:02 PM - 3:45 PM

Room: Regency V

PANEL 3: VARIETY OF INDICATIONS & SIZE MATTERS (TRIALS IN GD vs. DIALYSIS vs. COMMON CKD, TRIAL SIZES, & PRACTICE SIZES

  • Panel: Todd Minga MD, Akebia; ,Julie Lin MD, Travere; Ajay Srivastava MD, FASN, Medpace; Sarah Stump MS, PPD
  • Moderator: Sreedhar Mandayam MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center

3:47 PM - 4:03 PM

Room: Regency V

TOPIC 4: TOP 10 DOs & DON'Ts ON RUNNING CLINICAL TRIALS

  • Suneel Udani MD, NANI

4:05 PM - 4:10 PM

Room: Regency V

FINAL REMARKS

  • Laurel Damashek, International Society of Glomerular Disease
  • Adonia Calhoun Groom, Renal Physicians Association

4:10 PM - 4:45 PM

Room: Regency V

CLINICAL TRIALS BOOTCAMP NETWORKING RECEPTION

  • All Participants

4:45 PM

Room: Regency V

END OF EVENT

BOOTCAMP VENUE & DETAILS

Hyatt Regency Atlanta | Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 4:45 PM

265 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
amorales@is-gd.org
Get Directions

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