O'Brien Kidney Resource Alliance (OKRA)
@obrienkidney.bsky.social
We're an NIH-sponsored consortium that provides kidney researchers with specialized resources, tools, technologies, services, and expertise.
Just a reminder to join us this Thursday, October 15 from 11am-12pm CT / 12-1pm ET for the OKRA National Forum! Dr. Denise Hasson (NYU Langone Health) will be discussing “Fluid Balance Optimization in Critically Ill Children.”
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
October 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Just a reminder to join us this Thursday, October 15 from 11am-12pm CT / 12-1pm ET for the OKRA National Forum! Dr. Denise Hasson (NYU Langone Health) will be discussing “Fluid Balance Optimization in Critically Ill Children.”
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
New work from Indiana University, published in Science Translational Medicine, reveals how MRSA exploits a unique environment deep within the kidney to evade immune defenses and persist during bloodstream infection.
Click below to read: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Click below to read: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Hyperosmotic niche adaptation and tissue polyamines underlie MRSA persistence in the kidney
Host polyamines and osmotic stress shape MRSA adaptation in the renal inner medulla.
www.science.org
October 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM
New work from Indiana University, published in Science Translational Medicine, reveals how MRSA exploits a unique environment deep within the kidney to evade immune defenses and persist during bloodstream infection.
Click below to read: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Click below to read: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Be sure to join us for the next OKRA National Forum on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 11am-12pm CT/12-1pm ET! Our speaker will be Denise Hasson (NYU Langone Health), presenting on “Fluid Balance Optimization in Critically Ill Children.”
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
September 30, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Be sure to join us for the next OKRA National Forum on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 11am-12pm CT/12-1pm ET! Our speaker will be Denise Hasson (NYU Langone Health), presenting on “Fluid Balance Optimization in Critically Ill Children.”
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Just a reminder to register for next week’s National Forum! Laith Al-Rabadi will be discussing "HTRA1-Associated Membranous Nephropathy: From Autoantigen Discovery to Disease Mechanisms” on 9/24 from 11am-12pm CT/12-1pm ET.
Learn more on our website: uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more on our website: uab.edu/okra/trainin...
September 16, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Just a reminder to register for next week’s National Forum! Laith Al-Rabadi will be discussing "HTRA1-Associated Membranous Nephropathy: From Autoantigen Discovery to Disease Mechanisms” on 9/24 from 11am-12pm CT/12-1pm ET.
Learn more on our website: uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more on our website: uab.edu/okra/trainin...
The OKRA National Forum is back! Join us on 9/24 from 11am-12pm CT to hear Laith Al-Rabadi (University of Utah) discuss "HTRA1-Associated Membranous Nephropathy: From Autoantigen Discovery to Disease Mechanisms."
Register & learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register & learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
August 31, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The OKRA National Forum is back! Join us on 9/24 from 11am-12pm CT to hear Laith Al-Rabadi (University of Utah) discuss "HTRA1-Associated Membranous Nephropathy: From Autoantigen Discovery to Disease Mechanisms."
Register & learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register & learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Applications are open for Round 4 of our Opportunity Pool Program! Awards fund pilot grants up to $50,000 total costs for ESIs & investigators new to kidney research.
Optional letters of intent: due 9/20, 5pm CT
Full applications: due 10/20, 5pm CT
Learn more & apply: www.uab.edu/okra/funding...
Optional letters of intent: due 9/20, 5pm CT
Full applications: due 10/20, 5pm CT
Learn more & apply: www.uab.edu/okra/funding...
August 21, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Applications are open for Round 4 of our Opportunity Pool Program! Awards fund pilot grants up to $50,000 total costs for ESIs & investigators new to kidney research.
Optional letters of intent: due 9/20, 5pm CT
Full applications: due 10/20, 5pm CT
Learn more & apply: www.uab.edu/okra/funding...
Optional letters of intent: due 9/20, 5pm CT
Full applications: due 10/20, 5pm CT
Learn more & apply: www.uab.edu/okra/funding...
Due to an unprecedented number of submissions to the Travel Awards over the last week, the application site will close this Friday, 8/21 at 1pm CT. Applications submitted after the cutoff will not be reviewed. Please check back in Jan. 2027 for our next Travel Award opportunity!
August 17, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Due to an unprecedented number of submissions to the Travel Awards over the last week, the application site will close this Friday, 8/21 at 1pm CT. Applications submitted after the cutoff will not be reviewed. Please check back in Jan. 2027 for our next Travel Award opportunity!
Register now for the AHHSA 2026 symposium on Oct. 5-6, 2026 at UT San Antonio! This event is cosponsored by the UM O’Brien Center and has a virtual registration option available for those unable to attend in person!
Further info and registration can be found at: wp.uthscsa.edu/cpm/ahhsa-20...
Further info and registration can be found at: wp.uthscsa.edu/cpm/ahhsa-20...
August 14, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Register now for the AHHSA 2026 symposium on Oct. 5-6, 2026 at UT San Antonio! This event is cosponsored by the UM O’Brien Center and has a virtual registration option available for those unable to attend in person!
Further info and registration can be found at: wp.uthscsa.edu/cpm/ahhsa-20...
Further info and registration can be found at: wp.uthscsa.edu/cpm/ahhsa-20...
The OKRA Travel Awards have reopened! Apply now for a chance to have up to $500 of your kidney conference travel expenses reimbursed! These awards are open to trainees & early-stage investigators to support training & networking opportunities.
Learn more & apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
August 10, 2026 at 8:37 PM
The OKRA Travel Awards have reopened! Apply now for a chance to have up to $500 of your kidney conference travel expenses reimbursed! These awards are open to trainees & early-stage investigators to support training & networking opportunities.
Learn more & apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Registration is open for NIH’s upcoming workshop, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease in Hemodialysis. This event will be held at the NIH Neurosciences Building from August 3-4, with a virtual option available.
For further details and registration visit: www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meeting...
For further details and registration visit: www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meeting...
June 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Registration is open for NIH’s upcoming workshop, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease in Hemodialysis. This event will be held at the NIH Neurosciences Building from August 3-4, with a virtual option available.
For further details and registration visit: www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meeting...
For further details and registration visit: www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meeting...
Remember to register for the Spatial Protein Imaging Workshop hosted by the Indiana University O’Brien Center! This two-day event will be held on May 20-21 from 10:00am-3:30pm ET. There will be speakers, demonstrations, and live interactive learning opportunities.
May 13, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Remember to register for the Spatial Protein Imaging Workshop hosted by the Indiana University O’Brien Center! This two-day event will be held on May 20-21 from 10:00am-3:30pm ET. There will be speakers, demonstrations, and live interactive learning opportunities.
Don't forget to register for Wednesday’s National Forum! Dr. Steven Menez (Johns Hopkins) will discuss “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury” from 11am-12pm CST/12-1pm EST.
Register and learn more on the OKRA website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more on the OKRA website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
May 11, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Don't forget to register for Wednesday’s National Forum! Dr. Steven Menez (Johns Hopkins) will discuss “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury” from 11am-12pm CST/12-1pm EST.
Register and learn more on the OKRA website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more on the OKRA website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register now for the 2026 George O’Brien Kidney Center Annual Retreat at the University of Michigan!
When: Tuesday, May 12 from 8am-12pm ET
Where: Taubman Health Sciences Library, RM 2903
In-person and virtual options are available, with registration required for all attendees.
When: Tuesday, May 12 from 8am-12pm ET
Where: Taubman Health Sciences Library, RM 2903
In-person and virtual options are available, with registration required for all attendees.
May 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Register now for the 2026 George O’Brien Kidney Center Annual Retreat at the University of Michigan!
When: Tuesday, May 12 from 8am-12pm ET
Where: Taubman Health Sciences Library, RM 2903
In-person and virtual options are available, with registration required for all attendees.
When: Tuesday, May 12 from 8am-12pm ET
Where: Taubman Health Sciences Library, RM 2903
In-person and virtual options are available, with registration required for all attendees.
Join us on Wednesday 5/13 for the May National Forum! Steven Menez (Johns Hopkins) will discuss “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury” at 11am CT/12pm ET. This is the last Forum of the 2025-2026 season, so don't miss it!
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
April 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Join us on Wednesday 5/13 for the May National Forum! Steven Menez (Johns Hopkins) will discuss “Biomarker-enriched Clinical Phenotyping of Acute Kidney Injury” at 11am CT/12pm ET. This is the last Forum of the 2025-2026 season, so don't miss it!
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register today for the Pitt Cell Conference! Co-hosted by the Pittsburgh NRC, this annual conference will be held on May 5, 2026 at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Jeanne Stachowiak (UT Austin) will give the keynote address.
Learn more and register at pittcell.com/home
Learn more and register at pittcell.com/home
April 21, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Register today for the Pitt Cell Conference! Co-hosted by the Pittsburgh NRC, this annual conference will be held on May 5, 2026 at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Jeanne Stachowiak (UT Austin) will give the keynote address.
Learn more and register at pittcell.com/home
Learn more and register at pittcell.com/home
Last chance to register for tomorrow's National Forum! Dr. Dragana Komnenov (Wayne State University) will be discussing “The Role of Renal Sympathetic Nerves in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension” from 10-11am CT / 11am-12pm ET.
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
April 15, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Last chance to register for tomorrow's National Forum! Dr. Dragana Komnenov (Wayne State University) will be discussing “The Role of Renal Sympathetic Nerves in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension” from 10-11am CT / 11am-12pm ET.
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more and register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Be sure to join us for the April National Forum! Dr. Dragana Komnenov (Wayne State University) will be discussing “The Role of Renal Sympathetic Nerves in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension” on April 16 at 10am CST/11am EST.
Register here: uab.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register here: uab.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
March 31, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Be sure to join us for the April National Forum! Dr. Dragana Komnenov (Wayne State University) will be discussing “The Role of Renal Sympathetic Nerves in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension” on April 16 at 10am CST/11am EST.
Register here: uab.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Register here: uab.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Don’t forget to register for this Friday's OKRA National Forum! Dr. Mohiuddin Quadir (University of Central Florida) will discuss "Actively Targeted Nanomedicine for Addressing Chronic Kidney Diseases” from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Register and learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
March 23, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Don’t forget to register for this Friday's OKRA National Forum! Dr. Mohiuddin Quadir (University of Central Florida) will discuss "Actively Targeted Nanomedicine for Addressing Chronic Kidney Diseases” from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Register and learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Don't wait! The OKRA Resource Showcase Travel Awards close tomorrow at 5pm CT!
These awards are open to ESIs who will attend the Resource Showcase on 4/6 from 11:30am-6pm ET at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Learn more and apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
These awards are open to ESIs who will attend the Resource Showcase on 4/6 from 11:30am-6pm ET at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Learn more and apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
March 12, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Don't wait! The OKRA Resource Showcase Travel Awards close tomorrow at 5pm CT!
These awards are open to ESIs who will attend the Resource Showcase on 4/6 from 11:30am-6pm ET at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Learn more and apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
These awards are open to ESIs who will attend the Resource Showcase on 4/6 from 11:30am-6pm ET at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Learn more and apply here: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
Register now for the Spatial Protein Imaging Workshop hosted by IU on 5/20-21 from 10am-3:30pm ET! Programming will include speakers, demos, & live interactive learning opportunities. We hope to see you there!
Registration: iu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Agenda: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Registration: iu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Agenda: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
March 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Register now for the Spatial Protein Imaging Workshop hosted by IU on 5/20-21 from 10am-3:30pm ET! Programming will include speakers, demos, & live interactive learning opportunities. We hope to see you there!
Registration: iu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Agenda: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Registration: iu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Agenda: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
The next OKRA National Forum is coming up! Join us on Friday, March 27 from 10-11am CT / 11am-12pm ET to hear Dr. Mohiuddin Quadir (University of Central Florida) discuss "Actively Targeted Nanomedicine for Addressing Chronic Kidney Diseases.”
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
March 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
The next OKRA National Forum is coming up! Join us on Friday, March 27 from 10-11am CT / 11am-12pm ET to hear Dr. Mohiuddin Quadir (University of Central Florida) discuss "Actively Targeted Nanomedicine for Addressing Chronic Kidney Diseases.”
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
We've extended the deadline to apply for ESI travel awards to the OKRA Resource Showcase on 4/6 at the Bloomberg Center in DC! Apply by Fri. 3/13 at 5pm CT for a chance to network, talk with OKRA leadership, & receive feedback on your research!
More info: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
More info: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
February 24, 2026 at 8:53 PM
We've extended the deadline to apply for ESI travel awards to the OKRA Resource Showcase on 4/6 at the Bloomberg Center in DC! Apply by Fri. 3/13 at 5pm CT for a chance to network, talk with OKRA leadership, & receive feedback on your research!
More info: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
More info: www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
Register now for Thursday’s National Forum! Dr. Sophia Sears (University of Louisville) will be presenting on "Renal Adaptations to Exercise and the Implications for Cardiorenal Health” on Feb. 12 from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
February 9, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Register now for Thursday’s National Forum! Dr. Sophia Sears (University of Louisville) will be presenting on "Renal Adaptations to Exercise and the Implications for Cardiorenal Health” on Feb. 12 from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Learn more & register here: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Join us on April 6 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in DC for the OKRA Resource Showcase! We'll have round table discussions, presentations, networking opportunities, & more! We're offering a limited number of ESI travel awards on a rolling basis, so register & apply now!
www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
February 4, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Join us on April 6 at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in DC for the OKRA Resource Showcase! We'll have round table discussions, presentations, networking opportunities, & more! We're offering a limited number of ESI travel awards on a rolling basis, so register & apply now!
www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
www.uab.edu/okra/resourc...
Register now for the next OKRA National Forum! Dr. Sophia Sears (University of Louisville) will discuss "Renal Adaptations to Exercise and the Implications for Cardiorenal Health” on Thurs., Feb. 12 from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Register and learn more on our website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more on our website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
January 26, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Register now for the next OKRA National Forum! Dr. Sophia Sears (University of Louisville) will discuss "Renal Adaptations to Exercise and the Implications for Cardiorenal Health” on Thurs., Feb. 12 from 10-11am CT/11am-12pm ET.
Register and learn more on our website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...
Register and learn more on our website: www.uab.edu/okra/trainin...