Dr. Reiser is President of The University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Reiser's research has provided important mechanistic insights into the molecular pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Dr. Reiser discovered the role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) as a global, circulating risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as for acute kidney inury (AKI). suPAR is investigated as potential causative agent contributing to many kidney diseases including Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). These studies have broad clinical significance and lay foundation for the creation of novel diagnostics and pharmaco-therapeutics with potential benefit for a large patient population.