Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China

Prof. Zhang graduated with a MD in Medicine from the Peking University Medical School in 1989 before completing her residency and research fellowship and becomes a clinical academic in her alma mater. She spent three years as an International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Fellow in Japan mentored by Prof. Hirofumi Makino where she received training and skill for laboratory research that has instigated her interest in glomerular diseases. She was awarded a PhD by the Okayama University Medical School, Japan in 2001. She also spent a year as a Research Scientist in the Genetic Department, Yale University School of Medicine. Prof. Zhang utilizes the skills in molecular genetic acquired abroad, establishes and leads her own research group in Beijing focusing on cutting edge research in genetic, pathogenesis, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of glomerular diseases. Prof. Zhang was awarded a Professor in Medicine by the Peking University in her early career in 2005.

Prof. Zhang has a renowned international reputation in clinical research in IgA nephropathy. She is Co-chair with Prof. Perkovic for the TESTING trial steering committee. She is a member in the trial steering committee and the National Leader in China for the CREDENCE trial. She also serves in the trial steering committee and is the chief investigator of the NEFIGARD trial in China. Prof. Zhang is a member of the International IgA Nephropathy Network which is the largest international research collaborative groups from China, Canada, UK, Spain, Latin America, and Europe focusing on maximizing readily available clinical and histological data from various IgA nephropathy databases from these countries for evidence generation.

Prof. Zhang is the Director of the Renal Division at Peking University First Hospital. She serves as the Vice-president of Nephrology Committee in Beijing Medical Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Chinese Society of Nephrology and the Nephrology in Chinese Medical Doctor Association. She is a member of ISN Education Advisory Committee and the Core Working Group of the ISN Advancing Clinical Trials.

Prof. Zhang has won several national and international awards: International Society of Nephrology Fellowship Award (1997); Ryobiteien Awards for Outstanding Research Work in the Field of Biological Science in Japan (1999); Best Fellow’s Presentation Award of International Society of Nephrology (2003) and Distinguished Young Scholar of National Natural Science Foundation of China (2008).