Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

PKD Foundation Seeks Nominations for Kaplan Research Prize

In 2003, the PKD Foundation will award a $50,000 prize to a scientist who has increased the understanding and improved the treatment of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) through basic or clinical research. The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement in Understanding of Polycystic Kidney Disease was funded by Thomas Kaplan as a memorial to his mother, who died from complications of PKD.

A joint advisory committee representing the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the PKD Foundation will review nominations and choose the recipients for the biannual prize. Residents of any country are eligible without restrictions on gender, race, religion, creed, or nationality. The first prize will be awarded jointly by the ISN and the PKD Foundation at the ISN's 2003 World Congress of Nephrology in Berlin, June 8–12.

Nomination letters should describe the key role of the nominee(s) in a biomedical advance relevant to PKD and be accompanied by full curriculum vitae, complete mailing address, and at least two supporting letters that detail the major discovery or sustained advance. The letters should clearly articulate why this advance distinguishes the nominee's work from that of others in the same scientific area. If two persons are nominated jointly, the reasons why the prize should be shared must be clearly delineated.

The nomination deadline for the first award is February 1, 2003, and a formal announcement of the awardee will be made by ISN and the PKD Foundation 2 to 3 months prior to the ISN Congress. Nominations should be sent to

Nathan W. Levin, M.D.
Advisory Committee Chair
Renal Research Institute
207 East 94th Street
New York, NY 10128

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