We are currently planning the 8th annual Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) Research Symposium, scheduled for May 6, 2026, at the CSN Annual General Meeting in Quebec City, QC, and are actively seeking presenters for this event.
We welcome speakers leading investigator-initiated trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective observational studies, feasibility studies, or pediatric nephrology trials. Trainees, early career researchers, and individuals with early-stage project ideas are also encouraged to submit.
Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to present your project and receive valuable feedback from peers and experts in the field!
If you are interested in presenting or would like to share an idea, please contact Omo Enilama at omo.enilama@phc.ca.
The 7th annual Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) Research Symposium took place on May 7, 2025, at the Canadian Society of Nephrology’s (CSN) Annual General Meeting in Vancouver, BC. This hybrid event brought together patients, clinicians, and researchers—including many early career investigators—for a day of knowledge sharing, reflection, and collaboration. It served as both a recognition of CNTN’s achievements and a platform to explore the network’s future direction and opportunities for broader engagement.
Co-hosted by Dr. David Collister and patient partner Hans Vorster—co-leads of CNTN’s Scientific Operations Committee—the event reflected CNTN’s commitment to meaningful patient engagement and collaborative research.
The day began with a Land Acknowledgement and Welcome to Territory by Knowledge Keeper Dehlia Nahanee and her daughter Marissa (Nisga’a and Squamish Nation). Their presence grounded the gathering in respect and intention. Chronic kidney disease plays a significant role in both of their lives—Dehlia was Marissa’s first living kidney donor. Marissa shared heartfelt words that resonated deeply:
“Thank you for dedicating your lives to something extremely important. Kidney disease not only affects me, but my community…when you are doing the hard work you are doing, you are not only saving a person—you are saving a community.”
Dr. Karthik Tennankore, co-chair of CNTN’s Executive Committee, provided updates on leadership succession planning for CNTN and encouraged members to watch for upcoming call for participation. He also shared insights on the network’s role in the Accelerating Clinical Trials (ACT) Consortium: “CNTN was one of the first 28 networks invited to join the Consortium, which has since grown to include six more. I am excited to see where the Consortium will go in the future and CNTN’s involvement.”
The symposium featured the following presentations from leading kidney researchers who are advancing the understanding and treatment of chronic kidney disease:
Dr. Adeera Levin – EASI-Kidney trial
Vikas Sridhar – SUGARNSALT study
Dr. Thomas Mavrakanas – CARe-MRI clinical trial
Dr. John Gill – PART study: Prevention of Allosensitization
Dr. Istvan Mucsi – PROMs feasibility pilot study
Each talk included a Q&A session, encouraging dynamic discussion and deeper insight into the research.
A full recording of the symposium is available below with timestamps for each presentation. A summary report which includes presenter slides is available CNTN Research Symposium Report 2025.
CNTN looks forward to its next Research Symposium at the 2026 CSN AGM in Quebec City, QC.
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) is excited to be part of the upcoming Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM pre-course in Vancouver. Join us for the CNTN Research Symposium on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (7:30 – 11:30 a.m. PST) to hear research updates, learn what’s ahead for CNTN and how to get involved.
Don’t forget to stop by the Can-SOLVE CKD/CNTN booth and get some CNTN promotional material.
Dr. Adeera Levin – EASI-Kidney: A multicenter international randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Vikas Sridhar on behalf of Dr. David Cherney – Sugar & Salt: The Sodium Glucose Co-Transport-2 Inhibition Diabetes and Kidney Function Loss in Type 1 Diabetes (SUGARNSALT) research project.
Dr. Thomas Mavrakanas – CARe-MRI clinical trial: Canagliflozin in advanced renal disease with MRI endpoints.
Dr. Istvan Mucsi – PROMS: Feasibility pilot study to use Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for symptom assessment and management in patients on dialysis.
Dr. John Gill – PART: Prevention of Allosensitization in Renal Transplant Candidates
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) is excited to be part of the upcoming Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM pre-course in Vancouver. Join us for the CNTN Research Symposium on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (7:30 – 11:30 a.m. PST) to hear research updates, learn what’s ahead for CNTN and how to get involved.
Don’t forget to stop by the Can-SOLVE CKD/CNTN booth and get some CNTN promotional material.
The hybrid event is open for registration – make sure to register today!
There will be presentations from:
Dr. Adeera Levin – EASI-Kidney: A multicenter international randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Vikas Sridhar on behalf of Dr. David Cherney – Sugar & Salt: The Sodium Glucose Co-Transport-2 Inhibition Diabetes and Kidney Function Loss in Type 1 Diabetes (SUGARNSALT) research project.
Dr. Thomas Mavrakanas – CARe-MRI clinical trial: Canagliflozin in advanced renal disease with MRI endpoints.
Dr. Istvan Mucsi – PROMS: Feasibility pilot study to use Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for symptom assessment and management in patients on dialysis.
Dr. John Gill – PART: Prevention of Allosensitization in Renal Transplant Candidates
The 5th annual Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) Research Symposium took place on May 10, 2023, bringing together patients, providers, and researchers in a celebratory gathering. The event, held at the Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM, served as a platform to honour the achievements of CNTN and explore its future trajectory, while also presenting opportunities for engagement.
This half-day symposium showcased a diverse range of educational presentations by esteemed kidney researchers. These researchers, through their diligent efforts, are making significant contributions to our understanding and treatment of kidney disease.
Presentations included:
Dr. Bhanu Prasad: Decoding loin pain hematuria syndrome (View video) Dr. Prasad presented his ongoing research on loin pain hematuria syndrome. His team’s recent work includes phenotype analysis and pedigree chartings in LPHS as well as genomics. His website, www.prasadbhanu.com, has more information on his research program.
Dr. Amélie Bernier-Jean: Evidence for Potassium restriction in hemodialysis (EvoKe-HD) pilot (View video) “EvoKe-HD is a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility and potential for efficacy of a novel dietary approach to hyperkalemia. Contrary to the traditional recommendations limiting the intake of high-potassium whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, we propose to switch the focus to foods containing potassium that is readily absorbed by the body (high bioavailability), such as potassium from additives, processed meats, milk, fruit juices and sugary drinks.”
Dr. Adeera Levin: New investigator-initiated trial
Dr. Levin presented an upcoming investigator-initiated trial of an investigational drug that will be starting early next year.
Dr. Morteza Ahmadi: Qidni labs innovative dialysis machine Dr. Ahmadi presented Qidni Lab’s nearly waterless and portable dialysis machine currently conducting first-in-human dialysis sessions. Able to run on rechargeable batteries with remote, cloud-based monitoring, this machine could provide dialysis for those living in rural or remote areas or who have no or limited access to dialysis. For more information on their trial and device, visit www.qidni.life.
We are excited to see membership next month in Halifax at the Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM. The CNTN Research Symposium will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 8 am – 11 am AST. This is a great opportunity to learn about what CNTN has been up to, where we are going, and how to get involved. The event will include research presentations.
Make sure to come visit us at our booth and take some of our new CNTN promotional material including print material below!
The Canadian Nephrology Trials Network (CNTN) Research Symposium was held on May 9 at the Canadian Society of Nephrology AGM. Co-moderated by Dr. Karthik Tennankore and Hans Vorster, attendees learned about what CNTN has been up to, where they are going, and how to get involved. The session included presentations from Dr. David Collister, Dr. Remi Goupil and Dr. Dylan MacKay.
