MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER
NEPHROLOGY
SECTION OF
Dr. Joseph V. Bonventre
Dr. Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD, is a world-renowned nephrologist and current Chief of the Division of Renal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A pioneer in kidney research, he is known for discovering the biomarker KIM-1 and developing kidney organoids from stem cells. With over 69,000 citations and a leadership role in nephrology education and innovation, Dr. Bonventre has authored numerous landmark studies on kidney injury, repair, and regeneration.
Dr. Bonventre is a leading expert in acute kidney injury (AKI), with extensive research focused on its mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical implications. One of his most cited works, “Cellular pathophysiology of ischemic acute kidney injury” (The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2011), provides critical insight into the molecular and cellular events driving AKI, particularly in critically ill and ICU patients. His contributions have significantly advanced the field’s understanding and management of AKI.
Dr. Pramod Guru
Dr. Pramod K. Guru, MBBS, MD is a distinguished critical care nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville and Director of its Adult ECMO program. His dual board certifications in nephrology and critical care, complemented by specialized fellowship training in ECMO and renal therapy, position him uniquely at the intersection of extracorporeal life support and kidney care. With leadership roles including ICU Director and Adult ECMO Practice Director, Dr. Guru has spearheaded initiatives that integrate advanced renal replacement therapies into ECMO protocols, optimizing outcomes in complex, multi-organ failure scenarios.
A prolific researcher, Dr. Guru has published impactful work on renal therapy in ECMO patients. Notably, his 2016 study, “Derivation and validation of a search algorithm to retrospectively identify CRRT initiation in ECMO patients”, provides a validated framework to accurately capture the timing and integration of continuous renal replacement therapy during ECMO support . His leadership on adult circulatory support, including a December 2024 ASAIO Journal paper on clinical outcomes with ECMO, underscores his commitment to evidence-based care and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Pierre Singer
Dr. Pierre Singer, MD is an internationally recognized expert in critical care nutrition, currently serving as Director of the ICU at Herzliya Medical Center and Head of the Institute for Nutrition Research at Rabin Medical Center, Israel. A former Professor of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at Tel Aviv University and past President of ESPEN, Dr. Singer has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on metabolism, nutrition therapy, and outcomes in critically ill patients. His pioneering work integrates advanced tools such as AI-guided nutrition delivery and individualized feeding protocols to optimize recovery in ICU settings.
Dr. Singer has extensively explored the role of nutrition in preserving kidney function during critical illness. He co-authored the ESPEN guidelines on clinical nutrition in the ICU, which emphasize tailored feeding in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), sepsis, and multi-organ failure. His research highlights how appropriate protein-energy provision and metabolic monitoring can support renal recovery and reduce complications in patients on renal replacement therapy.
Dr. Gregorio-Romero
Dr. Gregorio‑Romero González, MD is a nephrologist and intensive care consultant, widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the integration of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in nephrology and critical care medicine. With extensive clinical and academic experience, Dr. González has been at the forefront of advancing bedside ultrasound as an essential tool for evaluating fluid status, detecting venous congestion, and diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients.
His innovative work has led to a paradigm shift in how nephrologists and intensivists assess and manage kidney dysfunction, especially in dynamic and high-acuity settings. He has authored numerous influential studies and reviews advocating for the routine use of POCUS in nephrology, emphasizing its role in enhancing diagnostic precision, improving patient outcomes, and supporting timely clinical decision-making. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. González continues to mentor healthcare professionals worldwide in the application of POCUS, reinforcing its value as a standard of care in both acute and chronic kidney disease management.
Dr. Miriam Montero
Dr. Miriam Montero, MD, a protégé of Dr. González, has emerged as a dynamic clinician-educator specializing in POCUS for kidney evaluation in the ICU. Under his mentorship, she has developed particular expertise in advanced ultrasound techniques such as VExUS (Venous Excess Doppler Ultrasound) and intra-renal Doppler for assessing hemodynamic kidney injury. She has contributed to training programs and collaborative research focused on applying bedside ultrasound to guide fluid management and improve renal outcomes. Dr. Montero’s strong clinical grounding and hands-on teaching approach make her an excellent speaker for the post-graduate course, where she will demonstrate how POCUS can transform kidney care in critically ill patients.
Dr. Edgar Lerma
Dr. Edgar V. Lerma, MD, FACP, FASN, is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Section Nephrology Coordinator at Advocate Christ Medical Center. A renowned expert in critical care nephrology, he co-edited the Handbook of Critical Care Nephrology (2021), a definitive resource covering acid-base and electrolyte disturbances in ICU patients. Dr. Lerma also serves as one of the editors of the 9th edition of the Manual of Nephrology (2024), which features an updated, in‑depth chapter on acid-base and electrolyte disorders
With a career dedicated to teaching and managing complex kidney-related disorders in critically ill patients, Dr. Lerma specializes in diagnosing and treating acid-base imbalances and electrolyte disturbances in the ICU—ranging from metabolic acidosis to severe potassium, magnesium, and sodium abnormalities. His leadership in both clinical practice and education ensures that post-grad trainees benefit from his expertise in rapidly correcting life-threatening disorders and guiding nuanced therapeutic decisions in high-acuity settings.
Dr. Rene Krause
Dr. Rene Krause, MD, is a respected palliative care expert based in South Africa, renowned for her leadership in renal supportive and palliative care. She co-authored the 2020 “Renal palliative and supportive care in South Africa – a consensus statement”, which addresses the growing need for conservative and palliative management pathways for chronic kidney disease patients who cannot access dialysis. Her efforts have helped shape multidisciplinary approaches to symptom control, advanced care planning, and quality of life for those with advanced renal failure.
Dr. Krause’s expertise in the ICU setting includes guiding care for patients with both acute and chronic kidney injury, focusing on acid-base and electrolyte management alongside comfort care principles. She advocates the integration of palliative services early in ICU stays—especially for patients with acute kidney injury and fluid and electrolyte derangements—ensuring timely decision-making and symptom relief
