Berger Prize Winners
17th Tokyo, Japan 2023
Yuko Makita
„After receiving the IIGANN award, I have continued my research at Toronto General Hospital, where I focus on IgA nephropathy through spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-seq. My work investigates the role of IgA-producing plasma cells in the kidney, particularly around glomeruli, and their interactions with immune cells. I recently presented these findings at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week.“
16th Prague, Czech Republic 2021
Carmen María Herencia Bellido
„Receiving this recognition at this international symposium was a very special honour for me. This meeting not only represents a space for scientific excellence, but also a small, close-knit family dedicated with passion to the study of IgA nephropathy.
Although I am currently working in another area of research, when I was asked to write a few words for this occasion, I couldn’t help but fondly recall my time in this field, especially my stay in Paris. Those years not only shaped my professional development, but also my personal growth, surrounded by brilliant and deeply humane colleagues. After completing my postdoctoral stage, I am the head of the immunohistochemistry laboratory in the pathology department at the Jiménez Díaz Foundation Hospital in Madrid.
And, this award reminds me that, although our scientific paths may take different directions, the shared experiences and bonds we have built remain valuable and present.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping this scientific community alive and for allowing me to continue to feel part of it.“
15th Buenos Aires, Argentina 2018
James Gleeson
Since winning the Berger prize in 2018 – on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of IgAN – James Gleeson completed a PhD, as well as clinical training in Nephrology and General Internal Medicine. He went on to work as a Post-Doc at APC Microbiome Ireland, before becoming a Consultant Nephrologist and General Physician at Cork University Hospital, Ireland. He has since returned to Paris where he works as a Nephrologist at Hôpital Bichat – Claude-Bernard.
14th Tours, France 2016
Chee Kay Cheung
“I am a Consultant Nephrologist and Honorary Associate Professor at the University Hospitals of Leicester, United Kingdom. Since being appointed to my current position, my main clinical and research interests are in clinical trials in glomerular diseases, especially in IgA nephropathy. I lead a number of investigator-initiated studies in this area, in collaboration with academic and industry partners. I have served as UK national chief investigator and principal investigator on multiple clinical trials. I lead specialist clinics in glomerular diseases and in vasculitis and lupus nephritis. I am a steering committee member of the International IgAN Network, and active member of the UK IgAN, membranous nephropathy and lupus nephritis rare disease groups.”
13th Nanjing, China 2013
Kazuo Takahashi
“I was honored to receive the Berger Award in 2012 at the IIGANN meeting in Nanjing, based on my postdoctoral research in Jan Novak’s laboratory, where I conducted detailed analyses of aberrantly glycosylated IgA1 produced by B cells in IgAN. Following this, I joined Fujita Health University to pursue translational research in IgAN. Since 2019, I have served as Professor of the Department of Biomedical Molecular Sciences at the School of Medicine, continuing to advance my work in this field. In addition to my research, I currently serve as Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee of the School of Medicine and as Director of the university-wide Center for International Relations, contributing to the development of education, research, and internationalization at Fujita Health University.”
12th Stresa, Italy 2009
11th Tokyo, Japan 2006
Hitoshi Suzuki
Hitoshi Suzuki is currently Professor of Department of Nephrology and Hypertension in Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital. His academic positions include Councilor of Japanese Society of Nephrology, Japanese Society of Hypertension, Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, Chief Researcher of Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for IgA Nephropathy in Progressive Renal Diseases Research from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.
“My research mainly focused on the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and has been collaborated with many of international researchers. He proposed ‘A Multi-hit Mechanism’; the concept of pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Our group recently established Gd-IgA1 monoclonal antibody in use for ELISA and immunofluorescent analysis of kidney biopsy specimens. Currently, we are working on revising the evidence based clinical guideline for IgA nephropathy.”