IgAN Friends In-Person Event 2026

Dr. Jonathan Barratt is a Professor of Renal Medicine and Head of the Renal Research Group within the College of Life Sciences at the University of Leicester. He is an internationally recognised clinician-scientist focused on the pathogenesis and treatment of IgA nephropathy, the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide.

His research follows a strong bench-to-bedside approach, with major contributions to understanding key mechanisms of IgAN, including aberrant IgA1 glycosylation, immune complex formation, and glomerular injury. He has also contributed to the development of international histopathological classification systems and improved risk stratification in IgAN.

Dr. Barratt is the IgA Nephropathy Rare Disease Group Lead for the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) and a member of the Steering Committee of the International IgA Nephropathy Network. He plays a key role in coordinating global research efforts and advancing collaborative clinical studies.

He is also a principal investigator in multiple international randomized controlled trials evaluating emerging therapies for IgA nephropathy, with a growing focus on the gut–kidney axis and mucosal immunity as central drivers of disease. His work continues to support the development of targeted, mechanism-based treatments for patients with IgAN.

Download Dr. Jonathan Barratt’s presentation slides.

Professor Daniel Gale is Professor of Nephrology at University College London and a Consultant Nephrologist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. He is an internationally recognised expert in kidney disease, with a research focus on the genetics and precision medicine of renal disorders, including rare kidney diseases and IgA nephropathy.

His work has significantly contributed to improving the understanding of the genetic and biological mechanisms underlying IgAN, including pathways involved in disease susceptibility and progression, as well as the role of galactose-deficient IgA1 in disease pathogenesis.

As director of the RaDaR registry that includes over 39,000 patients recruited at >100 hospitals, his team has published clinical outcomes in 28 rare renal conditions, revealing the disproportionate impact these rare diseases have on the overall burden of kidney failure.

Download Professor Daniel Gale’s presentation slides.

Professor Jürgen Floege is Senior Professor of Nephrology at RWTH Aachen University and former Head of the Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Hypertension at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. He is an internationally recognised expert in glomerular diseases and chronic kidney disease.

His clinical and research work focuses on immune-mediated kidney disorders, with a particular emphasis on IgA nephropathy, disease progression, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. He has made important contributions to improving the understanding of mechanisms driving chronic kidney damage and progression in glomerular diseases.

Professor Floege has also played a major leadership role in the global nephrology community, serving as a former Executive Council member of the International Society of Nephrology, the European Renal Association, and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO).

Download Professor Jürgen Floege’s presentation slides.

Professor Marijn Speeckaert is Professor of Nephrology at Ghent University and a nephrologist at Ghent University Hospital. His clinical and research expertise includes IgA nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, biomarker discovery in nephrology, and the role of micronutrients, metabolic health, and nutrition in disease mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

His research has contributed significantly to advancing the understanding of IgAN pathophysiology, with a particular focus on biomarkers, disease monitoring, and mechanisms driving disease progression. He is actively involved in developing more precise diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve risk stratification in kidney disease.

Professor Speeckaert’s work aims to support the implementation of more personalized approaches in nephrology, improving patient care through better prediction, earlier detection, and tailored management strategies.

Download Professor Marijn Speeckaert’s presentation slides.

Dr. Oliver Mason is Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Surrey.

He is a clinical psychologist and researcher whose work focuses on a wide range of mental health problems and their consequences.

Personally he has had a diagnosis of IgAN for over twenty years – discovered in his late 30s after acute illness. He has seen some decline to kidney function with associated symptoms over time, though his condition is currently managed by several medications.

He is also a member of the Lay Advisory Panel for Kidney Research UK.

Dr. Helena García-Llana is a health psychologist specializing in nephrology and patient-centered kidney care at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid. Her work focuses on the psychological and emotional impact of chronic kidney disease, treatment adherence, quality of life, and shared decision-making throughout the kidney care pathway.

She has contributed extensively to advancing psychosocial support in nephrology, with the aim of integrating psychological care into routine clinical practice. Her research and clinical work emphasize the importance of addressing emotional wellbeing as a key component of optimal kidney disease management.

Dr. García-Llana’s work supports a more holistic, patient-centered approach to nephrology, improving both clinical outcomes and patient experience.

Download Dr. Helena García-Llana’s presentation slides.

Dr. Mercedes Velo is a nephrologist with clinical and research expertise in glomerular diseases, including IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Based in Madrid, she has contributed to collaborative research focused on the management and progression of IgAN, with an emphasis on real-world clinical practice and emerging therapeutic approaches.

Her work is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based nephrology care and the integration of new treatment strategies for chronic kidney disease. Dr. Velo’s clinical and research activities support the translation of advances in IgAN research into everyday clinical practice.

Download Dr. Mercedes Velo’s presentation slides.

Ms Petrides is the European Kidney Patient Federation Vice President and also a patient representative.

She is a strong advocate for the kidney community in Europe and Cyprus, her work focuses heavily on integrated care pathways, improved access to screening and treatments, and elevating the patient voice in EU policy making.

Her core focus areas includes: Living Donation, with raising public awareness and pushing for international donor cross-over programs to shorten transplant waiting lists. Early Detection, with lobbying for mandatory, widespread screening of chronic kidney disease to stop or delay organ failure and sustainable Innovation, advocating for green, energy-efficient dialysis technologies and home-based care options that improve a patient’s independence and daily quality of life.