2025 American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Researcher Award

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Distinguished Researcher Award recognizes individuals who have made substantial research contributions to the discipline of nephrology and who display innovation and excellence in research to advance the science and/or practice of nephrology.

Dr. Aminu Bello, professor, Division of Nephrology

Dr. Bello is a professor of medicine at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. He is also medical director for the dialysis unit at the Peace River Community Health Centre and attending physician at the University of Alberta Hospital, both part of Alberta Health Services. In addition, he is adjunct professor of medicine at the Alberta Diabetes Institute of the University of Alberta and an honorary professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

Dr. Bello is dedicated to improving nephrology education and practice through global health initiatives. He is cochair for the Global Kidney Health Atlas of the International Society of Nephrology, which evaluates the capacity for kidney care worldwide. His leadership of the project has led to collaborations across 164 countries and a series of policy briefs, which have been widely adopted by international nephrology societies to guide the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. In Canada, his research has helped build capacity to treat chronic kidney disease and monitor its risk factors in remote, rural, and Indigenous communities.

In 2023, he was inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He is also a fellow of The African Academy of Sciences and ASN and is a Killam Laureate.

In Nigeria, Dr. Bello received his medical degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and underwent residency training in general internal medicine at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. He then completed specialty training and earned his PhD in nephrology and epidemiology at The University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. He also completed a clinical fellowship in nephrology and transplantation, as well as a nephrology research fellowship, at the University of Alberta. 

[Source: American Society of Nephrology]