Dr. Linda Awdishu: Kidney Diseases

Research Summary: Kidney Diseases

Dr. Awdishu’s research program involves pharmacokinetics of drugs and dosing in kidney disease. Currently, Dr. Awdishu is collaborating on a study of pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressants and lymphocyte reactivity in normal subjects. Additionally, she is studying drug dosing and kidney function estimating equations in the setting of acute kidney injury. Dr. Awdishu also conducts research on the recognition and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). She is studying the outcomes of multidisciplinary care in CKD, economic models for CKD care and the prevalence of CKD in hospitalized patients. Dr. Awdishu oversees the UCSD CKD clinic and maintains a clinical practice in the long term kidney transplant clinic at UCSD Medical Center.

Academic Achievements

Education: B.S. in Pharmacy (1999) University of Toronto; Pharm.D. (2008) University of Colorado; Masters of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research (2007) University of California, San Diego.

Awards and Honors: Apples for Preceptors Award, UCSF School of Pharmacy (2008); Preceptor of the Year Award, UCSD Pharmacy Practice Residency Program (2007); San Diego Preceptor of the Year Award, UCSF School of Pharmacy (2006); Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy National Schering Award for Pharmacokinetics (2003); Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy, Ontario Branch Douglas J Stewart Award for Hospital Administrators (2002).

Leadership Experience: Manager of UCSD CKD clinic.

Teaching

• Pharmacy: Therapeutics (SPPS 212B), APPE (Ambulatory Care, Nephrology), Pharmacy residency rotations in ambulatory care and nephrology.

Key Contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Implemented electronic GFR reporting at the clinical laboratories for UCSD Medical Center.
• Developed and manages the UCSD multidisciplinary chronic kidney disease clinic at UCSD Medical Center.
• Developed clinical pharmacy transplant services at UCSD Medical Center.
• Clinical research in chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury in the ambulatory and hospitalized patient populations.

Selected Recent Publications

Yeung et al. (2004). Pharmacokinetics of Oral Ciprofloxacin in Non-Infected Patients on Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis. Peritoneal Dialysis International 24:447-453.

Awdishu et al. (2007). Drug Issues in Renal Replacement Therapies. In: Dunsworth T, Richardson M, Cheng J, et al, eds. Pharmacotherapy Self Assessment Program, 6th ed. Nephrology. Lenexa, KS: American College of Clinical Pharmacy 91-105.

Potential Collaborative Programs with the Pharmaceutical Industry

• 10 years clinical experience in kidney diseases.
• Access to cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease creating potential for longitudinal research from chronic kidney disease to dialysis or transplantation.
• Pharmacokinetic studies in transplantation or renal failure.