Dr. Nina Jones recognized by the Kidney Foundation of Canada for nearly two decades of contributions to kidney research training
Dr. Nina Jones, a professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Canada Research Chair in Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, has received the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s 2026 Research Program Award, along with Dr. Robert Quinn from the University of Calgary.
This national award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to the Foundation’s research program and honours individuals who have shown exceptional leadership, dedication and innovation in advancing kidney health.
“It is an honour to be recognized by the Foundation for this prestigious award,” says Jones. “The KRESCENT program is unique in Canada for its approach and commitment to training the next generation of kidney health researchers. It is a great privilege to help steward the program while engaging with so many brilliant early career scientists and established leaders in the field, all focused on a common goal.”
Jones has been involved with the Foundation’s Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) program for nearly 20 years. In 2008, she received a three-year KRESCENT New Investigator Award. She was a peer reviewer for the next five years, before being named the program’s scientific officer. Since 2018, she has served as chair of the KRESCENT program. Quinn has been the program’s scientific officer since 2020.
“Although the standard term is three years, both continued well beyond that period, offering leadership through significant change and challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership transitions, and staffing changes,” reads the award citation. “When continuity mattered, they provided stability, confidence, and thoughtful guidance.”
Launched in 2005, KRESCENT is a national training program focused on developing highly skilled scientists working to prevent end-stage kidney disease and improve treatments and health outcomes for Canadians living with kidney disease. The program was founded by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Society of Nephrology and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes.
Through partnerships with government and provincial agencies, Canadian research networks and individual and industry donors, KRESCENT supports the recruitment, training and mentorship of researchers who will become leaders in kidney health research in Canada.