Awards

Titled Professor - 2022

Terence P. Kahn Professor of Nephrology

Titled Professor - 2021 - 2022

David M. and Julie B. DeWitt Professor of Nephrology Research

About Tarek Ashkar

Dr. Tarel Ashkar earned both his B.S. and M.D. from the American University of Beirut in 1955 and 1999, respectively. He completed his residency in 2003 at Wayne State University and went on to complete his fellowship at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) in 2006. He began his teaching career at IUSM as a visiting associate professor and was later promoted to associate professor in 2012 and full professor in 2019. He earned the additional title of David M. and Julie B. DeWitt Professor of Nephrology Research in July 2021.

Dr. Ashkar’s research focuses primarily on the role of the Tamm-Horsfall protein (Uromodulin) in kidney injury and inflammation. He and his lab uncovered a novel protective role for Uromodulin in acute kidney injury by downregulating the inflammatory response and modulating neutrophil infiltration. He is also interested in understanding and defining tubular crosstalk that occurs between various nephron segments, and the ensuing interaction with the renal immune system in physiological states and during kidney injury. His clinical interests include acute kidney injury and uromodulin-associated kidney disease.

Dr. Ashkar’s research has been published in over 10 academic journals and publications. He is a member of prestigious professional organizations, including the American Physiology Society and the American Society of Nephrology.