Awardees

Supervisors: Dr. York Pei and Dr. James W. Scholey
Award: Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Canada - PKD Foundation of Canada - KRESCENT Joint Fellowship
Institution: University Health Network
Year: 2017-2020

After receiving his medical degree at Laval University in 2010, Dr. Iliuta completed residency training in internal medicine (2010-2013) and nephrology (2013-2015) in Quebec City. He then pursued a fellowship in hereditary kidney disease under the supervision of Dr. York Pei at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, while undergoing graduate training in the Translational Research Program at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto. His clinical interests range from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease to tuberous sclerosis complex and inherited tubulopathies. His current research focuses on investigating novel disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of polycystic kidney disease. In the fall, he will be starting a Ph.D. in biomedical science at the University of Toronto, with a focus on the therapeutics of AMP kinase in polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is an inherited form of kidney disease that manifests in adults in which numerous cysts enlarge progressively until they cause severe kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant. Although ADPKD is a major cause of kidney failure in North America, effective treatments to slow disease progression are lacking. By acting on specific pathways involved in the metabolism of cyst cells (specifically, energy sensing and production) in APDKD either through drug combinations or dietary changes, we hope to attenuate the severity of renal disease: this would result in smaller kidneys, better quality of life, and a longer interval to kidney failure.