Medical & Scientific Advisory Board
The IGAN Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board comprises leading nephrologists, researchers and other medical professionals who have a deep understanding of, and expertise in, IgA Nephropathy diagnosis, treatment and research. They will work to inform and enhance the Foundation’s work through their diverse array of medical and scientific expertise and perspectives.
Jonathan Barratt, MD
Chairman of the Advisory Board
Dr. Barratt leads the Renal Research Group within the College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester. His research is focused on a bench to bedside approach to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.
He serves as the IgA Nephropathy Rare Disease Group lead for the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) and a member of the steering committee for the International IgA Nephropathy Network. He works closely with pharmaceutical companies on new treatments for IgA nephropathy and is a chief investigator for a number of international randomized controlled trials in IgA nephropathy.
Kelly Chen, NP
Kelly Chen is a patient with IgA Nephropathy. While she was in graduate school, her lab results revealed low protein levels in her blood and high protein levels in her urine. She was officially diagnosed when she was 27 years old.
Kelly is very passionate about increasing IgA Nephropathy awareness among the AAPI community, especially because of the disease’s high prevalence among East and South Asian descent. Professionally, Kelly was a COVID-19 frontline worker in New York City as an ICU nurse practitioner and has also been a telehealth strategy consultant in Chicago prior to her clinical practice. She grew up in the California Bay Area.
Jared R. Hassler, MD
Dr. Hassler was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy in 2001. His diagnosis cemented his decision to pursue a career in medicine. He obtained his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Tennessee followed by his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
During his third year of medical school, his kidneys failed and he was started on hemodialysis and then quickly switched over to peritoneal dialysis. He graduated medical school in 2012 after his wife donated one of her kidneys. Dr. Hassler currently serves as a pathologist at the Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia where he works closely with other nephrologists, transplant surgeons and other departments to help patients with kidney disease continue to survive and thrive.
Li-Li Hsiao, MD, PhD
Dr. Hsiao received her M.D., Ph.D. from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and received her nephrology training at Harvard Medical School. She is the creator of Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) and has been the co-associate director of Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine.
Dr. Hsiao has written over 50 articles and chapters and has received numerous awards for her outstanding clinical work, teaching and mentoring, including the prestigious Harvard Clifford Barger Young Mentor Award. In March 2021, she was honored by the National Kidney Foundation as a nephrologist who has made an impact in reducing health disparities in New England. Currently, Dr. Hsiao serves in the Education Working Group of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN); she has been the inaugural guest editor of ISN Academy, a member of ISN North American Board and a member of World Kidney Day Steering Committee, representing North America and the Caribbean.
Lauren Levy, MS
Lauren is a renal dietitian who has been working with people with kidney disease for over 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Lauren completed her master’s degree at the University of California, Davis. In 2013, Lauren earned her Specialization in Renal Nutrition (CSR). Lauren is the owner of Happy Health Nutrition LLC, a private practice focused on helping people with chronic kidney disease. She is also the Director at Cukebook, a non-profit whose mission is to make a kidney-friendly diet attainable for all people through nutrition and culinary education.
Daniil Shimonov, MD
Dr. Shimonov is a specialist in Nephrology and Hypertension in New York, NY at The Rogosin Institute. He is an assistant attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Instructor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
He graduated from CUNY Hunter College with Bachelor of Arts and received his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University. He completed Internal Medicine Residency at NYU-Winthrop University Hospital and completed a Nephrology and Hypertension fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Shimonov is a practicing nephrologist with a focus on advanced chronic kidney disease, home dialysis and polycystic kidney disease.
Whitney Simmons, MSN, APRN-CNP
Whitney was first diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2012 during her first semester of nursing school. She was placed on steroids and immunotherapy at that time, which she continues to this day.
Throughout the ups and downs that IgA Nephropathy brings, she was able to complete her nursing degree through Oklahoma City Community College. She then proceeded to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with University of Phoenix and finally a Master of Science in Nursing and Adult Gerontological Primary Nurse Practitioner degrees from Maryville University. Whitney has dedicated her career and spare time to helping those with autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders, administering an array of biological therapies. It is her passion to ensure that each patient has knowledge and efficiency in being their own advocate.