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Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Dr. Tomoko Takano has won the respect and gratitude of her peers and patients for her steadfast commitment to advancing understanding and treatment of kidney disease.

That appreciation was on full display at a December 9 reception to celebrate Dr. Takano, this year's recipient of the Kidney Foundation Medal for Research Excellence. The award was announced in May.

"It is an honour to receive this award," said Dr. Takano, Senior Scientist and Nephrologist at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal and Professor, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the university. "I was genuinely surprised, very grateful and happy." By recognizing her work, the award also emphasizes the importance of fundamental and translational research, she added.

Dr. Takano said the support from The Kidney Foundation of Canada has been invaluable to her activities. "It is not only a funding organization; it is a really great community. I have been involved in the KRESCENT (Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training) program and in research panels. The Kidney Foundation provided me with a lot of opportunities to connect with other people in nephrology, including patient partners."

Leanne Stalker, PhD, the Foundation's National Director of Research, said, "The Kidney Foundation of Canada extends its congratulations to Dr Takano. Her commitment to developing and maintaining a powerful fundamental research program has been pivotal in moving the needle for our understanding of kidney disease. She is an exemplary example of a mentor, clinician and researcher, and we are proud to honour her with this award."

A global expert in glomerular disease, Dr. Takano's multidisciplinary research has advanced understanding of the role of podocytes in kidney health and disease and immune mechanisms that cause podocyte injury. These specialized cells in the kidney's glomeruli help to filter blood and remove waste.

“Thanks to Dr. Takano, we are now closer to developing individualized therapies for patients affected with nephrotic syndrome than ever before,” said Dr. Rita Suri, Director of the Division of Nephrology, McGill University.

Dr. Takano's inspirational leadership has also facilitated knowledge sharing between fundamental kidney scientists and clinical nephrologists and elevated the profile of Canadian nephrology research.

“Overall, Dr. Takano has demonstrated excellence in the pursuit of scientific discovery, in the translation and dissemination of findings, in the dedication to training the next generation of scientists, and in national leadership of kidney research,” said Dr. Suri.

"What makes Dr. Takano remarkable is not just her outstanding science, but the way that she mentors the Canadian nephrology community — even from afar, and often without realizing it," said Dylan Burger, PhD, one of the dozens of researchers she has mentored.

"Dr Takano's deep expertise in nephrotic syndrome and her precise scientific reasoning have profoundly shaped the researcher I am becoming. Her mentorship has not only been instrumental to my own career path, it has also inspired numerous dedicated scientists in the field of nephrology throughout the world," said Dr.Simon Leclerc, a recent trainee from Dr Takano's laboratory.

"We are extremely proud to see Dr. Tomoko Takano honoured with The Kidney Foundation of Canada's Medal for Research Excellence," said Dr. Rhian M Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). "As a scientist, clinician, and mentor, her pioneering discoveries on podocytes, proteinuria and glomerular disease have greatly advanced our understanding of kidney disease.

"We are deeply grateful to The Kidney Foundation for recognizing her outstanding contributions and for their unwavering commitment to supporting kidney research in Canada," Dr. Touyz said.