Rob Walker

Professor Of Medicine | University Of Otago

Professor Walker is currently a professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa – New Zealand and is a consultant Nephrologist and Head of Nephrology for the Southern District Health Board. He is the Director of ‘the Kidney in Health and Disease research theme” based at the University of Otago.

His research programme has a strong translational basis from laboratory to bedside which includes drug-induced nephrotoxicity, mechanisms of chronic interstitial nephritis with a focus on lithium-induced CKD and animal models of hypertension-induced cardio-renal syndromes. At a clinical level, his research focus includes cardiovascular risk factors associated with CKD; hypertension, obesity and inflammation; clinical trials in nephrology, exercise and kidney function; home dialysis programmes, and dialysis outcomes in the elderly. He has over 275 peer-reviewed publications.

Professor Walker is actively involved in both local and international nephrology societies. He is currently on the ISN Continuing Medical Education committee, ISN Core programmes committee and he is the deputy chair of the ISN clinical research committee. He has just stepped down as the Honorary Secretary for the Asia Pacific Society of Nephrology and the APSN CME committee. Within the ANZSN, he serves on the Research Advisory Committee, Policy and Quality committee and the Education and Training committee.