Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine

Renal Diseases and Hypertension Faculty

  • Kevin William Finkel, MD, FACP, FASN

    Kevin William Finkel, MD, FACP, FASN, FCCM

    Professor and Vice-Chair of Medicine
    Director, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
    Chief, Critical Care Nephrology
    Chief of Nephrology, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
    Kevin.W.Finkel@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 1990, 2000, 2010
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 1994, 2004

    Residency

    Northwestern University—Internal Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 1987–1991

    Fellowship:

    Barnes Hospital/Wash. Univ. School of Medicine—Nephrology, St. Louis, Missouri, 1991–1994

    Clinical Specialties

    Acute Kidney Injury, Intensive Care Nephrology, Renal Disease in Cancer Patients

    Research Interests

    Critical care nephrology, Acute kidney injury, Extracorporeal treatment of sepsis

  • Akinsansoye Kayode Dosekun, BS (hons), MB.BS (MD)

    Akinsansoye Kayode Dosekun, BS (hons), MB.BS (MD)

    Associate Professor
    Chief of Nephrology, Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital
    Akinsan.K.Dosekun@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: No
    Nephrology: No

    Residency

    University of Lagos Nigeria—Internal Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria, 1975–1976

    Fellowship:

    The Moffitt Hospital-University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 1980; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1981–1983

    Clinical Specialties

    General Nephrology, ESRD, CKD, Peritoneal Dialysis, Hypertension, Glomerulonephritis

  • John R. Foringer, MD

    John R. Foringer, MD

    Associate Professor
    Program Director
    Chief of Medicine, HCHD
    Vice-Chair of Internal Medicine, HCHD
    John.R.Foringer@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 2000
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2003

    Residency

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—Internal Medicine, Houston, Texas, 1996–2000

    Fellowship:

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Houston, Texas, 2000–2002

    Clinical Specialties

    Critical Care Nephrology, Renal Diseases in Cancer Patients, Transplantation, ADPKD

  • Kanae Ishihara, MD

    Kanae Ishihara, MD

    Associate Professor
    Kanae.Ishihara@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 1998, 2008

    Clinical Hypertension Specialist, January 1999

    Residency

    Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska

    Fellowship:

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham—Kidney (and Kidney-Pancreas) Transplantation, Birmingham, Alabama

    Clinical Specialties

    Transplant Nephrology/Transplant Medicine (Kidney and Kidney-Pancreas Transplantation), Ultrasonography of Native and Allograft Kidneys

    Research Interests

    Kidney transplant outcomes from the extreme donor age groups; Effect of obesity in kidney transplant donors and recipients; Use of ultrasonography as a Nephrologist

  • Andrew Mark Kahn, MD

    Andrew Mark Kahn, MD

    Professor of Medicine
    Andrew.M.Kahn@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 1978
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 1981

    Residency

    Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, 1975–1978

    Fellowship:

    Yale University School of Medicine—Nephrology, New Haven, Connecticut, 1978–1981

    Clinical Specialties

    Pre-ESRD, ESRD, Dialysis, Hemo, Acid-Base/Electrolytes

    Research Interests

    His laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of hypertension in insulin-resistant states. He equips trainees with expertise in insulin signaling and vascular biology. Insulin can inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell migration, and insulin’s failure to do so in insulin-resistant states might contribute to enhanced atherosclerosis. His group is testing the overall hypothesis that insulin acts synergistically with nitric oxide to stimulate cyclic GMP production, which inhibits VSMC migration in-vitro, and testing whether insulin inhibits VSMC migration in-vivo after balloon catheter injury of carotid arteries in normal and insulin resistant obese dogs. The effects of insulin on cultured VSMC aerobic glycolysis, redox potential, cyclic GMP levels, Cai2+, CaM kinase II and MAPK phosphorylation and activities and MKP-1 expression are being assessed. VSMC migration is measured via Boyden Chamber and wound migration assays. The role of MKP-1 and potential cross talk between CaM kinase II and MAPK is being studied using antisense oligonucleotides and/or transfections with dominant negative or constitutively active mutants. Migration of VSMCs following balloon injury of dog carotid artery is being assessed by measuring the progression of BrdU, smooth muscle ?-actin and iNOS labeled VSMCs from the media to the neointima. These studies will determine the mechanism for insulin’s inhibition of VSMC migration and may help explain the link between enhanced atherosclerosis/restenosis and insulin resistance.

  • Bruce C. Kone, MD, FACP, FCP, FAHA, FASN, FAAAS

    Bruce C. Kone, MD, FACP, FCP, FAHA, FASN, FAAAS

    Professor of Medicine
    Bruce.C.Kone@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 1986
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2004–2014

    Residency

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland

    Fellowship:

    Brigham and Women's Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

    Clinical Specialties

    Acute and chronic kidney disease, hypertension

    Research Interests

    Acute kidney injury, epigenetics, gene regulation

  • Donald Andrew Molony, MD

    Donald Andrew Molony, MD

    Professor of Medicine
    Donald.A.Molony@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 1982
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 1986

    Residency

    Parkland Memorial Hospital-Southwestern Medical School—Internal Medicine, Dallas, Texas, 1979–1981

    Fellowship:

    Southwestern Medical School—Nephrology, Dallas, Texas, 1981–1984

    Clinical Specialties

    CKD, Glomerulonephritis, ESRD, Metebolic Bone Disease, Anemia, Toxic Renal Injury

    Research Interests

    Dr. Molony’s research interests include an investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of distal nephron injury and repair, including renal tubular cell apoptosis. These investigations are conducted in parallel with an examination of the clinical syndromes of toxicant-related acute and chronic renal failure. He has previously found that chlorinated hydrocarbons and other environmental toxicants injure MTAL cells via their interaction with GABA-like Cl- channels in the basolateral membrane resulting in apoptosis. Electrophysiology, biochemical, and molecular biological approaches are used to address these basic research questions as well as in the development of biomarkers for the epidemiological studies. His laboratory has developed biomarkers panels that have allowed for the recognition of specific distal nephron injury from site-selective nephrotoxicants. Dr. Molony, in collaboration with researchers at the UT-School of Public Health and at the University of New Mexico, is conducting case-control and cohort studies in human populations exposed to potential distal-nephron nephrotoxicants to determine the burden of the environmental toxicant or drug induced renal injury and its clinical manifestations. Most recently, in collaboration with UNM and the Navajo Health Board, he has been conducting epidemiologic and biomarker studies to determine the relationship between uranium and other metal exposures and CKD in this population.

  • Bhamidipati V.R. Murthy, MBBS, MD, DM

    Bhamidipati V.R. Murthy, MBBS, MD, DM

    Associate Professor
    Medical Director, Kidney Transplant Program, Memorial Hermann Hospital
    Medical Director, Pancreas Transplant Program, Memorial Hermann Hospital
    Bhamidipati.Murthy@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 2000
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2001

    Residency

    Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, 1979–1981; Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998–2000

    Fellowship:

    Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, 1983–1985; New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 1995–1997; Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, 2000–2001

    Clinical Specialties

    CKD, ESRD, Glomerulonephritis, Diabetic Renal Disease, Hypertension, Dialysis, Transplantation, Renal Biopsy

    Research Interests

    Dr. Murthy had gained clinical research experience at the Tuft’s New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, where he investigated the graft and patient outcomes associated with hepatitis C and hepatitis G virus infections among dialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. He also performed in-vivo studies on biocompatibility of dialysis membranes and effects of reuse on small molecule clearances with different dialysis membranes. His current research interests include outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. In particular, he is working on prevalence and outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease in CKD and ESRD patients on dialysis, using national databases. He is also investigating the reasons for ethnic differences in the prevalence and outcomes in patients with CKD and ESRD using these databases. He is currently involved in a large multicenter clinical trial to lower cardiovascular outcomes in ESRD patients with newer therapies for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Trainees will have exposure to clinical research methodology and outcomes research.

  • Amber S. Podoll, MD

    Amber S. Podoll, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Associate Program Director
    Amber.S.Podoll@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 2006
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2008
    Pediatrics: American Board of Pediatrics—Pediatrics 2008

    Residency

    Baylor College of Medicine—Combined Training Program Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Houston, Texas, 2002–2006

    Fellowship:

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, 2006–2008

    Clinical Specialties

    Acute Kidney Injury, Intensive Care Nephrology, Transplantation Medicine, Renal Disease Cancer Patients

    Research Interests

    AKI in the ICU, Biomarkers in AKI, Role of dialysis in ICU

  • Joshua Alex Samuels, MD, MPH

    Joshua Alex Samuels, MD, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Joshua.A.Samuels@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 1999
    Pediatric Nephrology: American Board of Pediatrics—Pediatric Nephrology 2003
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2004

    Residency

    University of Rochester—Combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Rochester, New York, 1995–1999

    Fellowship:

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—Renal Diseases and Hypertension/Pediatric Nephrology, Houston, Texas, 1999–2003

    Clinical Specialties

    Acute Kidney Failure, Dialysis (Hemo, PD, CRRT), Cancer Nephrology, ERSD, Pediatric Hypertension, Hematuria, Nephrotic Syndrome, Acid-Base and Electrolyte Abnormalities, Kidney Transplantation, and Kidney Biopsy

    Research Interests

    Expertise and investigative interests are in adult and pediatric nephrology. Research interests in Pediatric Hypertension, Acute Kidney Failure, continuous renal replacement therapies, and kidney diseases in cancer patients.

  • Brett W. Stephens, MD

    Brett W. Stephens, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program
    Brett.W.Stephens@uth.tmc.edu

    Board Certification

    Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine—Internal Medicine 2007
    Nephrology: American Board of Internal Medicine—Nephrology 2009

    Residency

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—Internal Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2003–2007

    Fellowship:

    The University of Texas Medical School at Houston—Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Houston, Texas, 2007–2009

    Clinical Specialties

    Peritoneal Dialysis, Glomerulonephritis

    Research Interests

    Glomerulonephritis, Measurements of Renal Function, Hypertension

  • Zhi-Yuan Yu, MD, PhD

    Zhi-Yuan Yu, MD, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Zhi-Yuan.Yu@uth.tmc.edu

    Education

    MD: Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China, 1980–1985
    MS: Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, China, 1989–1992
    PhD: Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, China, 1992–1995

    Post Doctoral Training

    Residency: Internal Medicine, Huainan City, Anhui, China, 1985–1989
    Renal Division: Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, China, 1995–2000
    Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension: The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, 2000–2007
    Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation: University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, 2007–2009

    Research Interests

    Dr. Yu is interested in chromatin-mediated gene regulation in the kidney and vasculature, particularly in the molecular mechanisms of renal fibrosis, renal growth and development.

  • Wengzheng Zhang, PhD

    Wengzheng Zhang, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    Wengzheng.Zhang@uth.tmc.edu

    Education

    PhD: The University of Texas Health Science Center at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center 1998
    Post Doctoral Training: Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Baylor College of Medicine

    Research Interests

    Dr. Zhang is interested in chromatin-mediated gene regulation in the kidney and vasculature. In the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, DNA is coiled around the histone octamer to form the nucleosome, which is the building block for higher-order chromatin structures. Dynamic changes in chromatin structure play important roles in many biological processes, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. One of the mechanisms by which cells modulate their chromatin structure is the covalent modification of histones. These modifications include acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Dr. Zhang’s current research is focused on the following two genes:

    1. H+/K+ ATPase ?2 subunit gene (HK?2) HK?2 is a member of H+/K+ ATPase gene family and participates in the control of body K+ balance. Deletion of HK?2 gene in mice causes profound hypokelemia. In kidney and colon, HK?2 may also participate in bicarbonate absorption. Dr. Zhang uses tissue cultured cells and transgenic mice to define the promoter fragments that confer HK?2 tissue-specific expression pattern and to identify transcription factors controlling its expression.
    2. mDot1-like gene Recently, Dr. Zhang cloned a new mouse histone methyltransferase gene (mDOT1-like). This gene has been highly conserved from yeast, C. elegans, mouse, to human, suggesting it plays a very important role in cell growth and development. Preliminary data indicate that the protein encoded by the mDot1-like gene, like those encoded by its homologue in other organisms, methylates histone H3 lysine 79. Dr. Zhang’s long-term goal is to define mDOT1 signaling cascades and to determine their importance in normal renal cell growth and development.

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