ASPN Member of the Month is highlighting Dr. Nina Mann. Dr. Mann is being recognized for her impactful research in kidney genetics and her leadership within the nephrology community, particularly in the area of clinical genetic testing for kidney disease. She also serves as Co-Chair of the ASPN Kidney Genetics Interest Group.
Introduction and current role: I am currently a pediatric nephrologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I came here by way of Boston, MA, where I completed my residency and fellowship training.
Clinical and research interests: My clinical and research interests are in the genetic basis of childhood kidney disease. I currently am co-directing a kidney genetics clinic, and we are working to not only facilitate clinical genetic testing but also to improve genetic literacy amongst pediatric nephrologists. In the lab, I’m interested in gene discovery and also in studying the mechanisms of genetic kidney disease, with a current focus on WT1-associated podocytopathy.
Biggest accomplishments in the past year: This past year has been a year of transitions for me! I’d say getting a kidney genetics clinic set-up in collaboration with colleagues from the Genetics division has been rewarding. (Also moving to Columbus without losing any children, cats, pipettes, or samples!)
What you love most about your job: I’ve really loved the long-term relationships I’ve been able to build with my patients and families. I also think it’s just a really exciting time for Nephrology right now, with so many new therapies in clinical trials, including the development of targeted drugs for genetic conditions like APOL1 and TRPC6! It’s been really fun to work at the intersection of basic science and clinical medicine, and to be able to see how some of these basic mechanistic understandings have translated to novel therapies! I find that I’m learning something new every day.
A fun fact about yourself: I used to run marathons and at one point qualified for the Boston Marathon … But now I’m mostly just running after two toddlers.
Author: Ei Khin, MD
ASPN Communication Committee
Posted: March 30, 2026