Kenneth Wilund

Dr. Wilund’s research is focused on developing novel strategies to improve the health and quality of life of patients with kidney failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) therapy. HD patients suffer from a myriad of co-morbidities that adversely impact their health and quality of life. While pharmacological therapies are often prioritized in their care, exercise and nutrition-related strategies receive less emphasis, despite tremendous potential benefits. He has developed two parallel lines of research that aim to: A) develop strategies for getting patients with chronic kidney disease more physically active; and B) reducing chronic volume overload in HD patients. These are two of the most challenging and clinically significant problems in Nephrology. Dr. Wilund recently founded two research-related entities to help facilitate this work: 1) The Global Renal Exercise (GREX) Network; and 2) The Kidney Wellness Institute of Illinois (KIWII). The purpose of both of these groups is to improve the research base and implementation of lifestyle-related therapies across the spectrum of chronic kidney disease.