ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

The Latest on X

About ASN

ASN / About /

Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD, FASN, Councilor

Dr. Fornoni is a tenured Professor of Medicine and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is the Chief of the Katz Family Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. She also serves as the Director and Chair of the Peggy and Harold Katz Drug Discovery Center. Dr. Fornoni gained experience in drug development at Hoffman-La Roche in Basel and is the funding scientist of several start-up companies. Her research is supported by grants from the NIH, industry, and private foundations. She has received prestigious awards: among them, she is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI, 2017) and the Association of American Physician (AAP, 2021). Recipient of multiple mentorship awards, her trainees occupy leadership roles in multiple academic institutions around the globe. Her role as Co-Director of the MD PhD program and Director of an NIH-funded summer school of Nephrology strongly reflects her interest and passion in mentoring students and junior faculty toward a successful academic career. Through her pioneering work on insulin signaling, cholesterol metabolism, and sphingolipid-related pathways, Dr. Fornoni uncovered novel pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for glomerular disorders that have successfully translated into ongoing clinical trials.

Current Position/Titles:

Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Director and Chair, Peggy and Harold Katz Drug Discovery Center

Co-Director, MSTP Program

Co-Director, CTSI/KL2 and Mentoring Program

Degrees/Training:

M.D., School of Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy, 1995

Ph.D., Medical Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Italy, 2000

Research/Post-Doc Training: University of Miami, 2000-2002

Internal Medicine Residency, University of Miami/JMH, 2002-2004

Nephrology Fellowship, University of Miami/JMH, 2004-2005

Harvard T Chan School of Public Health Program: Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers, 2018

ASN Service:

ASN organizing committee 2015-2016

ASN organizing committee 2021-2022

JASN Deputy Editor Dec 2023-present

Editorial board Kidney 360 (2020-present)

ASN abstract selection committee (2007-present)

Kidney STARS and TREKS faculty

Glomerular Diseases Advisory Group (2014-2017)

Leadership positions:

Board of Directors, Miami Scientific Italian Community (2015); Industry Advisory Board for the University of Miami (2014); NEPTUNE Steering Committee (2013-present); NephCure Kidney International Scientific Advisory Board (2015-present, chair since 2022); Alport Syndrome Foundation Scientific Advisory Board (2020-present); Chair of the International Society of Nephrology organizing committee (2023-2024); National Kidney Foundation organizing committee (2023);ISN Transform steering committee (2023); International Podocyte meeting organizing/steering committee (2023); Co-Chair and steering committee, International Society of Glomerular Diseases (2024); International Society of Nephrology Awards Committee (2024-2025); Deputy Editor, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2023-Present); Associate Editor roles (JCI, KI, Kidney360, Diabetes, Journal of glomerular diseases); Advisory Board Member for over 20 companies; Study sessions: NIH/PBKD, NIH/DDKD, DOD, ADA, AHA

Honors:

Merit Fellow, University College "Collegio Nuovo" (1989); Resident Scholarly Activity Program Award, University of Miami School of Medicine (2003) ; Travel award, Professional Development Course (basic), American Society of Nephrology (2004); Stanley J. Glaser Foundation Biomedical Research Award, University of Miami (2006); Fellow, American Society of Nephrology (2006); Travel award, Professional Development Course (advanced), American Society of Nephrology (2008); Endowed Chair, Peggy and Harold Family Katz Drug Discovery Center (2013); ASCI Membership (2017); WIAM Career Achievement Award (2017); Faculty Mentor of the Year Award, Graduate School, University of Miami (2017); Provost?s Award for Scholarly Activity (2018); Mentor award, 5th Eugene J Sayfie Research Day, Department of Medicine, University of Miami (2019); Iron Arrow Honor Society Induction, University of Miami (2019); ASCI Institutional Representative (2019); Shally Research Award, University of Miami (2019); Public Voice Fellowship, University of Miami (2019); WIAM Leadership Award, University of Miami (2019); Italian President Knight Award "Cavaliere della Stella d'Italia" (2019); Barkin/Roger Outstanding Mentor Award, State of the Department Address (2020); Association of American Physician (AAP) Membership (2021); Dean's Award for Best Senior Researcher, University of Miami (2021); Raja N. Khuri Distinguished Researcher Award, AUB, Lebanon (2022); Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) Membership (2023); Provost Luis Glaser Mentorship Award, University of Miami (2024)

Board Certification:

Board Certification in Internal Medicine (2004-2014)

Board Certification in Nephrology (2005-present)

Research Interests:

Through my pioneering work on insulin signaling, cholesterol metabolism, and sphingolipid-related pathways, I have uncovered novel pathogenetic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for glomerular disorders. My internationally recognized research findings, which are now being translated into humans with novel therapeutic applications, have challenged existing paradigms and have dramatically altered the research direction in these areas. My inventions have led to two start-up companies testing my hypothesis in phase II trials. My contributions have been published in high-impact journals: JCI, NEJM, Nature Medicine, Cell Metabolism, Science Translational Medicine, Nature Communication, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Diabetes among others. I have more than 230 peer review publications. My H index is 48.

Personal Statement:

I have a keen interest in growing a culture of equity and inclusiveness in nephrology. I direct two NIH summer school of nephrology (a T35 for first year medical students and a R25 for college students). I am a national PI of a new initiative Helping to Accelerate Research Potential of NIDDK scholars. I desire to influence a broader audience. My skills in faculty development, my success as an immigrant physician-scientist, my engagement with patient foundations and industry, uniquely position me to brings industry, investors, and not-for-profit organizations around the table with the intent to match science, innovation and patients? motivation to find a cure for kidney diseases.